S2 Episode 08: Non-Conformity: Changing Britain’s Past and Heritage’s Future

S2 Episode 08: Non-Conformity: Changing Britain’s Past and Heritage’s Future

The burning of Birmingham in July 1791 wasn't just a riot, it was the moment dissent and nonconformity became forces that would shape Britain forever. Sarah Dowd is joined by Chris Smith, Chair of the Historic Chapels Trust, and Steve Pilcher, longtime champion of historic chapels across England. Together they unravel what nonconformity really meant: centuries of struggle for religious freedom, communities building chapels for themselves, and the surprising legacy these "dangerous outsiders" handed to modern British society. Expect radical architecture, Quaker leases stretching five millennia, and a case for why these now-empty chapels matter more than ever. Dedicated to Sarah Dowd's Aunt Sandra, in honour of 60 years of Songs of Praise. Highlights: 00:00 Birmingham burns & the birth of dissent: Joseph Priestley’s story 00:45 Chapels as spaces for democracy, debate, & imagining new worlds 01:40 Songs of Praise and the journey of nonconformity 02:20 The hard question: what becomes of empty chapels? 03:15 Chris Smith, the Historic Chapels Trust and the battle for funding 06:10 Steve Pilcher on life in conservation and a 13-year “secondment” 09:16 What is nonconformity, historically and now? 10:28 Building Preservation and the line between activism and conformity 13:30 Steve Pilcher’s Quaker upbringing 17:00 1791, why dissent threatened power and why it kept going 25:39 The stories of St. George’s German Lutheran Church 26:11 Chapels as sites of anti-Nazi resistance 29:10 The wild diversity of chapels 35:37 Can a building hold memory, spirit, and community? 42:04 What’s next for chapels, and why being nonconformist still matters Tune in next week for Part 2, chapels that challenged society, why regulation matters, and how to be nonconformist in heritage today. About Chris Smith: Chris Smith is Chair of Historic Chapels Trust and a lifelong heritage professional with extensive experience in conservation, planning and historic environment management. Formerly a Director at Historic England, he became Chair in 2019 and has since focused on securing sustainable futures for chapels through community ownership and adaptive reuse. Chris is passionate about heritage as a tool for shaping the future, not simply preserving the past. About Steve Pilcher: Steve Pilcher is a heritage specialist and former Deputy Director of Historic Chapels Trust, where he worked from 2003 to 2016. Before that, he spent two decades with English Heritage across industrial archaeology, conservation and policy. A building conservation specialist, Steve continues to support heritage projects and volunteer-led initiatives today. About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com [http://www.historyffs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/] Substack: @historyffs [https://historyffs.substack.com/] YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod [https://www.youtube.com/@historyffspod] Instagram: @historyFFSPod [https://www.instagram.com/historyffspod] TikTok: @historyffspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@historyffspod] X: @HistoryFFSPod [http://x.com/historyffspod] Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/historyffs.bsky.social]

The History Myth Factory: Nelson, Blake and Who Gets to Be a Hero?

You know the image: towering column, tricorn hat, one good eye. Admiral Nelson, Britain's ultimate naval hero. But how much of that legend is actually true? And how much was carefully constructed and sold to us? This week, Sarah Dowd is joined by Roy Clare, retired Rear Admiral, former boss of the National Maritime Museum, and someone who has spent a career thinking about how we remember (and misremember) our maritime past. Tune in for a brilliant conversation about heroes, myths, and who history tends to forget. They explore Nelson's very human flaws, his Blackadder afterlife, the women and non-European sailors who shaped British naval history but rarely get a mention, and why the stories our museums tell are finally starting to change. History is a lot more interesting when you tell the whole story. Highlights: 00:00 The myth-making of Nelson's death 00:38 How public heroism is forged 01:11 Nelson in Blackadder: caricature and shifting belief 02:03 Roy Clare: from Navy life to questioning hero worship 04:02 Who gets remembered and who gets erased? 05:12 Leadership and empathy on the high seas 09:32 From Admiral to museum director 14:14 Rethinking "maritime": migration, trade, and the environment 17:37 Why do societies invent heroes? 24:53 The Battle of the Nile: why strategy creates legends 26:19 Who benefits from the cult of the hero? 30:14 Heroism as marketing 32:51 Who else could have been on that column? 41:40 Where are the women? 44:05 Why put Nelson on a column? 48:41 Why pulling statues down dodges the real question 50:16 Putting Nelson in perspective 51:53 Blackadder and the power of British satire 57:10 Nelson's letters and his love life 58:59 "Male, pale, and stale": critiquing the curation of history 64:40 Championing diversity and revisiting uncomfortable stories 68:06 Decolonising collections: what happened in New Zealand 81:23 Truth-telling and why History For F*'s Sake matters About Rear Admiral Roy Clare CBE DL: Rear Admiral Roy Clare CBE DL is a former senior naval officer and cultural leader whose career spans maritime history, museums, governance and digital inclusion. He has served as Director of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich; Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council; and Director of Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand. Known for championing more inclusive storytelling and challenging narrow institutional cultures, Roy has spent decades exploring how public history is presented, interpreted and debated. His work focuses on widening participation, engaging with contested histories and bringing multiple perspectives into heritage and museum practice About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com [http://www.historyffs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/] Substack: @historyffs [https://historyffs.substack.com/] YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod [https://www.youtube.com/@historyffspod] Instagram: @historyFFSPod [https://www.instagram.com/historyffspod] TikTok: @historyffspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@historyffspod] X: @HistoryFFSPod [http://x.com/historyffspod] Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/historyffs.bsky.social]

S2 Ep 06 Beam Me Up...or Just Let Me Look: Space Beyond the Screen

Sarah Dowd heads to Kielder Observatory to meet Chief Executive Leigh Venus and Director of Astronomy and Communications Dan Pye, exploring how our obsession with the cosmos travels from Caroline Herschel's groundbreaking work to Star Trek marathons and why that journey matters. Expect childhood wonder, Space Precinct nostalgia, a cameo in 28 Years Later, light pollution villains (including one notorious petrol station), and celebrating sixty years of Star Trek. Plus: why dark skies aren't just for scientists, they're for everyone. Here are the highlights: 00:00 From starships to stargazers: framing the big cosmic questions 01:19 Leigh Venus on childhood astronomy and finding “home” at Kielder 05:10 Dan Pye’s unlikely journey: Hubble models and a sci-fi themed café 15:27 Why crossing the threshold of a science venue can transform a life 16:58 Kielder is not a research observatory, but an arts and astronomy hub 19:04 TV fame, and the boom-and-bust cycle of astro-tourism 20:13 When COVID hit: podcasting, virtual stargazing, the Lottery lifeline 22:21 Why people travel (and rebook) just for the Kielder night sky 22:40 Celebrating sixty years of Star Trek 25:42 Kielder’s involvement with TV and movies 31:04 How Kielder keeps light pollution at bay 35:42 Humanity’s relationship with the night sky from cave art to calendars 37:28 Caroline Herschel’s story, the first woman to be paid or astronomy 43:52 The blend of science, theatre, and education by stealth 46:43 AR, immersive tech, and never taking the sky too seriously. About Leigh Venus: A lapsed geneticist, Leigh Venus has worked across the North East culture and heritage sector since 2009, with senior roles at the RNLI, Jarrow Hall, and Tyneside Cinema. A trustee for the Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust and London's Vagina Museum, he is now CEO of Kielder Observatory, proud custodian of this very special place, creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience wonder through observing the cosmos. About Dan Pye: Obsessed with the stars since his mum took him to his local observatory in Pontefract, where he first glimpsed Mars and the Moon's mountain ranges, Dan's career spanned broadcasting, retail, and running a science-themed café in Durham. A voice actor heard across UK television, radio, and video games worldwide, he now specialises at Kielder Observatory in Observational Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, Astrophotography, and Meteorites. Connect with Kielder Observatory: Website: https://kielderobservatory.org/ [https://kielderobservatory.org/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kielderobservatory [https://www.instagram.com/kielderobservatory] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0NTXssdA4CJI-syX1lFfg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0NTXssdA4CJI-syX1lFfg] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KielderObservatory [https://www.facebook.com/KielderObservatory] X: https://x.com/kielder_obs [https://x.com/kielder_obs] About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com [http://www.historyffs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/] Substack: @historyffs [https://historyffs.substack.com/] YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod [https://www.youtube.com/@historyffspod] Instagram: @historyFFSPod [https://www.instagram.com/historyffspod] TikTok: @historyffspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@historyffspod] X: @HistoryFFSPod [http://x.com/historyffspod] Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/historyffs.bsky.social]

S2 Ep 05 Retail Revolutions: 250 Years of Museums, History and Shopping

What does shopping have to do with American independence? In this playful yet thoughtful episode of It's History for F****'s Sake, Sarah Dowd sits down with Melody Caban, museum retail consultant, whose work bridges culture and commerce by reimagining the humble museum gift shop. Together, they unravel misconceptions about museum retail, the origins of “revolution you could hold in your hand,” and how 18th-century consumer boycotts became statements of identity. They explore the psychology and politics of “exit through the gift shop,” how the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is being marked in museum retail, and why a tea towel or tote bag might mean more than you think. Plus a nostalgic look at Independence Day (the movie), why Jeff Goldblum’s never looked better, and how retail can help us tell the big stories of who we are. If you love museums (or just love their shops), this one’s for you. Here are the highlights: 00:00 The not-so-simple story of American independence 02:29 Meet Melody Caban, museum store consultant and curator of delight 04:00 How creativity and business combine in museum shops 07:55 Why bespoke, mission-driven museum gifts matter 12:21 From hippos at the Getty to wearable history 14:51 Front-of-house staff are the unsung heroes of museum experience 16:20 How the Boston Tea Party and the founding of the U.S. were about shopping and consumption as identity 18:10 What buying local really means, then and now 20:12 The 250th anniversary: Local nuance, not just red, white & blue 24:33 Are museum shops recession-proof? 27:00 Why thoughtful design matters more than ever 30:49 Why do they make you exit through the gift shop? 34:44 How Seattle Art Museum, Norton Simon Museum, and The New York Historical Society are getting it right 35:50 Philanthropy vs. government funding, how U.S. museums survive 41:45 Museums as community partners 44:52 Independence Day (the movie) - finding joy in bombastic patriotism 48:21 Rethinking “patriotic” retail for the 250th, telling the whole story, together. About Melody Caban: Melody Caban is a seasoned expert who literally helped rewrite the book on museum stores. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, she helps institutions—from art and science to culture and history—bring profit and purpose to their retail operations. A featured columnist and strategic consultant, Melody transforms museum stores from simple gift shops into mission-aligned "final exhibits" that drive revenue and deepen visitor impact. Connect with Melody: Website: https://www.melodycabanconsulting.com/ [https://www.melodycabanconsulting.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumstoremelody [https://www.instagram.com/museumstoremelody] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-caban/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-caban/] About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com [http://www.historyffs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/] Substack: @historyffs [https://historyffs.substack.com/] YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod [https://www.youtube.com/@historyffspod] Instagram: @historyFFSPod [https://www.instagram.com/historyffspod] TikTok: @historyffspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@historyffspod] X: @HistoryFFSPod [http://x.com/historyffspod] Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/historyffs.bsky.social]

S2 Ep 04: Clutter and Collecting: The Hidden History of Stuff

Ours to Keep? In this emotionally raw episode of It's History for F***'s Sake, host Sarah Dowd sits down with Clarissa Levi, inheritance tax lawyer, former Sotheby's specialist, and someone with rare double vision into objects, families, and loss. Together, they unpack why we collect, why inherited things mean so much (sometimes too much), and how the late 18th century turned possessions into identity. They trace the rise of consumerism, the baby boomer stuff-boom, and why a teacup can become a sibling battleground alongside the cultural moment that made Marie Kondo a global phenomenon. Expect grief, nostalgia, the messy reality of inheritance law, and hard-won advice for planning ahead without leaving traps for your heirs. If you've ever had to grieve with a cardboard box, this one's for you. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Marie Kondo’s “tidying” revolution and what decluttering means when it isn’t your stuff 02:12 Meet Clarissa Levi, an inheritance tax lawyer and former Sotheby’s specialist 05:13 How grief and loss shape our attachments 09:46 The rise of collecting as status, identity, and a postwar Western obsession 13:08 Why letting go is hard and finding better ways to pass things on 18:18 The complicated joy (and obsession) behind collecting 24:08 Gender, inheritance, and the “emotional labour” of family history 28:10 How industrialisation created a world drowning in stuff 29:00 The double-edged sword of inheriting privilege: 36:46 The biggest myth: Stuff equals love 41:15 Make a will, don’t set traps for your family, have the hard conversations, and please, sort your diaries 45:55 Whether you’re a duke or an academic, it’s all the same mess in the end 47:16 What story will your stuff tell, and to whom? About Clarissa Levi: Clarissa is a highly experienced art lawyer and heritage practitioner at law firm Wedlake Bell. She has spent much of her career working in the commercial art world, advising on tax planning and cultural heritage. Her expertise includes estate planning, philanthropy and accessing tax incentives for heritage property. She advises on all aspects of the ownership of art, including acquisitions and disposals, as well as advising on the UK’s export controls for cultural objects. Clarissa advises museums and institutions, buyers, sellers, collectors, industry professionals and the heritage sector. Clarissa worked at Sotheby’s for over a decade, where she was a Senior Director in Tax & Heritage, before joining BHL Art Group, where she was heritage director. Connect with Clarissa Levi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-levi-a6598419b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-levi-a6598419b/] About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com [http://www.historyffs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/] Substack: @historyffs [https://historyffs.substack.com/] YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod [https://www.youtube.com/@historyffspod] Instagram: @historyFFSPod [https://www.instagram.com/historyffspod] TikTok: @historyffspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@historyffspod] X: @HistoryFFSPod [http://x.com/historyffspod] Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/historyffs.bsky.social]