Episode 1 - From Glasgow to Kew

It’s 1986. Margaret Thatcher is prime minister.  Madonna, the Communards and Nick Berry jostle for the No 1 single. I’m working for the specialist civil servants’ union.  In this episode we travel from Glasgow’s abattoir to Kew Gardens,  via agricultural shows and the Government Communications Headquarters, travelling the length and breadth of the UK, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at some of Britain’s quintessential institutions.  As well as meeting characters who are both charming and bewitching, we answer two key questions – (1) does the water run blood red when abattoirs are hosed down?  And (2) can you be a good union member and a loyal patriot too ?

A Makes-You-Think production. Music by Scott Holmes. Companion blog here. Some names and other details have been changed. Got a story for the scrapbook? Tell us at [e-mail]