Battlegore and Bronze: A Million Words of West Country War and Peace

In this episode, Martin Hesp reflects on a staggering career milestone: 26 years of weekly 900-word columns for the Western Morning News and Western Daily Press. With over 1.17 million words written for his Saturday readers, Martin explores the responsibility of being the "eyes and ears" of the region since 1999.

Digging into his personal archives, Martin connects the modern anxieties of global conflict with his childhood in West Somerset—a landscape literally built on "Battlegore." From the silent, trauma-worn teachers of the 1950s to the cinematic Saxon slaughter of Vikings at Countisbury, this episode examines how history and local legend shape our understanding of the present.

It's a journey through the Somerset marshes, the high hill-forts above Lynmouth, and the evolution of a journalist who has spent a lifetime turning the "rough draft of history" into a legendary Saturday staple.

In this episode of Adventures in Journalism, Martin Hesp takes us behind the lens of his latest novel, The Cornish Snapper: The Granite Mystery.

Can a non-police sleuth still exist in the modern age of forensics and cordoned-off crime scenes? Martin argues they can—if they're carrying a press pass and a digital camera. He discusses the "brainwave" that turned a seasoned, world-weary reporter into the Dr. Watson for a sharp-witted, tech-savvy press photographer's Sherlock Holmes.

Highlights include:

• The 2002 Debate: How a BBC Radio 4 discussion on the "death of crime fiction" challenged Martin to find a new kind of detective.

• The "Snapper" Dynamic: Why the pairing of a veteran journalist and a modern photographer creates the perfect investigative duo.

• A Newlyn Awakening: Listen to an exclusive reading from the book's opening chapter, capturing the salt, grit, and authenticity of a Cornish fishing port at dawn.

• Journalism vs. Fiction: Reflections on how 50 years in the newsroom provides the ultimate toolkit for building a believable mystery.

The Cornish Snapper is available now. For more stories, articles, and to grab your copy, visit martinhespfoodandtravel.com.

Step inside the historic walls of Taunton's Castle Hotel in this episode of Adventures in Journalism. Host Martin Hesp sits down with legendary proprietor Kit Chapman to celebrate the 75th anniversary of his family's stewardship of this Somerset landmark.

Kit shares candid stories from the hotel's "black and white movie" past, including his father's 1950s restoration, the hotel's transformation into a Michelin-starred culinary destination, and humorous encounters with the likes of Henry Blofeld and Keith Floyd. We explore how the Castle has remained a permanent fixture in a changing world, serving as a gateway to the Quantocks, Exmoor, and the Somerset Levels. Whether you are a fan of English heritage, fine dining, or the art of hospitality, this interview offers a fascinating look at one of Britain's most prestigious establishments.