

Tophole!
Deborah Lofas
Episodes look at individual Chalet School books, Elinor M Brent-Dyer's life and other works, and wider themes, with occasional interviews. There will be spoilers, because the books have been in print for over 50 years. There will be mispronunciations, because it's too late now to put right the ones I invented as a 9 year old. And we do not ignore the bonkersness that makes EBD so beloved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2024 • 22min
The Series Re-boot
The final book set at Plas Howell (which I keep accidentally calling Plas Gwyn, but I think Kit has managed to edit out all the incidents).Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/s2e6-the-series-re-boot/ Tophole has its own Facebook page, or you can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 5, 2024 • 34min
The kitten did it
Loads of spoilers in this discussion, and also the shock of a man's voice, as Kit joins us to discuss The Lost Staircase. He's made clear he won't be doing it again.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/s2e5-the-kitten-did-it/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 2024 • 41min
Campfire's burning
We conclude our conversation about The Chalet Girls in Camp, and our own experiences of guide camp, with reference to camp fires, latrines, rest hour, and much more. Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/s1e4-campfires-burning/Tophole has a Facebook page, and you can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2024 • 29min
Don't walk on the table!
It's a Wendy week, and what could be better for two former Guide leaders than a Chalet School book devoted to Guide camp? We compare our experiences to those described by EBD (who, I think it's safe to say, never tried incinerating disposable nappies at a girlguiding campsite).You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Full episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/08/s2e3-dont-walk-on-the-table/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2024 • 29min
Slipping something into the coffee
I'm joined today by Caroline Crampton (Shedunnit, A Body Made of Glass) to discuss health, and health anxiety, at the Chalet School.Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/24/s2e2-slipping-something-into-the-coffee/ You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 10, 2024 • 19min
I've as much right to the book as Moira!
A look at the start of the Chalet School's final year.You can find Tophole on Facebook and email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/10/ive-as-much-right-to-the-book-as-moira/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2024 • 26min
Deborah visits the Chalet School
End of term so Wendy does the interviewing in this one! Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/s1e23-deborah-visits-the-chalet-school/ and you can find us on Facebook or email topholepodcast@gmail.com.Podcasts recommended for your summer break:The Kindred Spirits Book ClubThe Children's Literature PodcastBacklistedShedunnitA Body Made of GlassCountrystrideThe History ChicksPictures and ConversationsBook HootsBBC Sounds - Val McDermid on the Chalet School (2011) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 2024 • 23min
A holiday to remember
It's the centenary of the Chalet School's conception this summer, so today I'm taking a look at the holiday which inspired it all.I made considerable use of Behind the Chalet School by Helen McClelland in preparing this week's episode - more than usual, I mean - but also went down lots of lovely rabbit holes about fashion, ski-ing, and station departure boards.Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/06/25/s1e22-a-holiday-to-remember/You can find us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 11, 2024 • 22min
The Chalet School in Yorkshire
Obviously the entire Chalet School never made it to Yorkshire. But Jo, Frieda, Simone and Marie did, and EBD wrote a book about it. Get into the holiday mood early with a look at Jo to the Rescue.Episode transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/?p=79Find us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 2024 • 28min
Friends, fill-ins and fans
Today's episode is an interview with Clarissa Cridland, of Girls Gone By Publishers and Friends of the Chalet School.You can find Girls Gone By (and order your copy of Millies of the Chalet School) at www.ggbp.co.ukFriends of the Chalet School can be found at www.chaletschool.org.ukEpisode transcript at www.topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/05/28/s1e20-friends-fill-ins-and-fansFind us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


