Our March talk

Sounding out: our March talk with 

Claire Broughton, Head of Podcasts at 

Hat Trick Productions

Christine writes: 

'Claire treated us to a very entertaining and informative talk about her work as a producer. Whilst taking a language degree at university a friend put her down as producer on their fringe festival show. After uni and eschewing a job opening in sales she got a job as an Assistant Producer and went on to work for film maker Mike Leigh and for a 6 month stint in Kenya. A role as a TV producer at Hat Trick followed. A desire to specialise in audio led her to the BBC before being invited back to Hat Trick, which had seen the potential of podcasts and wanted to set up an audio department. Claire led a fascinating round table discussion to hear what podcasts EEWI members listened to. This revealed a cornucopia of topics from gardening to economics, women's football, medical, rambling, politics and culture. We learned a bit about how podcasts are financed (sponsors, subscriptions, advertising and commissions). Asked about the future, Claire's tip was that video was where the young generation were going. Finally we were treated to a little insight into the world of sound recordists and a valuable mini tech lesson on how to find podcasts on our mobile phones. The whole talk was suffused with amusing anecdotes and much enjoyed by all.' 

Photos by Christine

Our March walk

Spring in our steps – our March walk

Brimming with wildflowers on a sunny day, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park was a glorious place for our walking group to enjoy some Spring colour. Following the park's Plants for People trail, we appreciated the sensitive planting to give visitors – including bees and ladybirds – flowers to enjoy early in the season. We spotted newts in one of the ponds, rediscovered the row of Charterhouse graves and walkers emerged triumphant from trying the maze.

Some of our group went on to the Mile End Art Pavilion for the Creative Bloc & Friends exhibition The Way we Art. Heather writes, "Inspiring range at the exhibition. Even a live stone carving class outside! We chose the vibrancy of these to share with you. Would find space for one of them even in a modest-sized home!" Our exhibition-goers headed to East End WI favourite Bard Books for coffee.

The exhibition is on until 22 March, open daily 11am-6pm.

Fancy joining us for a walk? Look out for our next coming up blogpost.

Pictures by Lydia, Alison and Heather

Coming up in March

Broadcast, exhibition and plants putting on a show – all coming up in March

Our monthly walk: Saturday 14th March, meet at 11am 

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and exhibition at Mile End Art Pavilion

Meet by the Soanes Centre at the main entrance to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park on Southern Grove

We'll be making our annual visit to the Cemetery Park to see the stunning spring flowers, using one of the park's trail leaflets Plants and People as a guide. 

Then if still feeling energetic, we can walk through Mile End Park to the Art Pavilion to see the The Way We Art exhibition by Creative Bloc & Friends.

If you're a member, look out for the EEWI walks WhatsApp on the day for any changes or to see who else is joining.

Our monthly meeting:

Thursday 19th February, 7pm for 7.30pm

Claire Broughton, Head of Podcasts at Hat Trick Productions

At our usual venue: St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PL, entrance via the gate to the left. (If you’re joining us for the first time, feel free to email us and someone will meet you at the entrance on Old Ford Road.)

Claire joined us last year for our visit from The Queen Bees, as she produces their podcast, which also stars Jane Horrocks. We invited her to return and speak about her role as a TV and podcast producer. 

Claire’s LinkedIn profile describes her as an 'Experienced Producer with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. Skilled in Broadcasting, Television, Media Production, Film, and Radio Production. Occasionally has use of her degree in French and German from University of Bristol, but mainly while on holiday.'

Claire has asked that her speaker’s fee be donated to a breast cancer charity.

Our monthly coffee and catch-up:

Friday 27th February, meet between 10.30am and 11.00am

Brady Centre Café, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU

The Tower Hamlets Women's Spring Open Exhibition is a good excuse to meet up for a chat, a catch-up and to have a look at the exhibition, in which two of our members have work. In a nice bit of symmetry with this month's walk, Christine has a painting in the show of our stall at last year's Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Summer Fair; and Lydia has two small botanical drawings in the show.