Episodes

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Sex Shops20170421Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

The genesis of this is hazy. It seems the author lost his travel pass in Soho one day, aged 17. And soon felt there the allure of such places: those erotic emporia. Ruminating on this experience, Andrew looks at the history of such retail outlets and why they have almost entirely disappeared.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin discusses sex shops, especially those in London's Soho.

Sex Shops2017042120180906 (R3)Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

The genesis of this is hazy. It seems the author lost his travel pass in Soho one day, aged 17. And soon felt there the allure of such places: those erotic emporia. Ruminating on this experience, Andrew looks at the history of such retail outlets and why they have almost entirely disappeared.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin discusses sex shops, especially those in London's Soho.

The Boating Pond20170417Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

It starts amidst the elegance of the Jardin du Luxembourg, where the author's sons potter about with model boats on the ornamental lake. This is charmingly anachronistic and will spark off searches for more ponds and model boats in the UK. Places such as Hampstead, Clapham, Southwold, where it's a small but enthusiastic pastime still.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Andrew Martin celebrates the pastime of sailing model boats on ponds.

The Boating Pond2017041720180828 (R3)Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

It starts amidst the elegance of the Jardin du Luxembourg, where the author's sons potter about with model boats on the ornamental lake. This is charmingly anachronistic and will spark off searches for more ponds and model boats in the UK. Places such as Hampstead, Clapham, Southwold, where it's a small but enthusiastic pastime still.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Andrew Martin celebrates the pastime of sailing model boats on ponds.

The Milkman20170420Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

You buy your milk at the supermarket. But what about that noble clan of milkmen still out there? Still up at 3 am, wending their ways along the nation's streets in their floats. We meet some of the best of them.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin discusses milkmen and their floats.

The Milkman2017042020180905 (R3)Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

You buy your milk at the supermarket. But what about that noble clan of milkmen still out there? Still up at 3 am, wending their ways along the nation's streets in their floats. We meet some of the best of them.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin discusses milkmen and their floats.

The Telephone2017041920180904 (R3)Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

The author dislikes mobile phones. Because he hankers after the rituals and protocols of the old telephones. On a telephone you can be witty, louche, stylish. Try out the 700-series for instance, in a range of colours each suggesting a certain mood, quality.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin explains his liking for traditional telephones.

Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

The author dislikes mobile phones. Because he hankers after the rituals and protocols of the old telephones. On a telephone you can be witty, louche, stylish. Try out the 700-series for instance, in a range of colours each suggesting a certain mood, quality.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Author Andrew Martin explains his liking for traditional telephones.

The Ventriloquist Doll20170418Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

Starting in London's Hampstead Cemetery, the author pays homage to some amazing characters of the 'vent' world: Sailor Jim; Lord Charles; Shorty; Arthur Lager. All enjoyed varying degrees of success through the decades - just don't call them dummies.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Andrew Martin on ventriloquists' dolls, one of the social phenomena managing to survive.

The Ventriloquist Doll2017041820180830 (R3)Andrew Martin toasts five 'social phenomena' that are still with us - just.

Starting in London's Hampstead Cemetery, the author pays homage to some amazing characters of the 'vent' world: Sailor Jim; Lord Charles; Shorty; Arthur Lager. All enjoyed varying degrees of success through the decades - just don't call them dummies.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Andrew Martin on ventriloquists' dolls, one of the social phenomena managing to survive.