Tophole!
Episodes
The Secret Life of Mlle Lachenais
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In honour of our Winter Olympic medals in skeleton, a look at the Chalet School book which mentions the sport - one which Mlle Lachenais has done many...
Something to keep your hands occupied
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week and we're talking about handcrafts at the Chalet School. And also through history. And in the real world. And in our own lives. Cont...
I didn't think!
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Which is it to be - a sun-soaked, punch-fuelled trip to Jamaica, or a chilly school term on an island off the coast of Wales? Well, there's really onl...
Who gave you leave to call me Matey?
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week! And we're talking about the Chalet School's matrons - at some length, because we're easily distracted.Transcript available at https...
Victorian poets and no gym apparatus
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We're starting 2026 with an EBD book that finishes on Christmas Day because we have been Rather Unwell and so we are Running A Bit Late. In this episo...
Pageants and carols
20 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're somewhat late with this episode (sorry), but we're here now and focussing on fun seasonal stuff! Which is your favourite - The Bells of Christma...
The Leader of the Gang
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back to Switzerland this week, as we take a look at the 34th Chalet School book, Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://tophole...
Brown tunics and orange ties (2)
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In which Hayley, Wendy and I conclude our discussion about which is better, Malory Towers or the Chalet School, and then I mop up the bits we didn't d...
Brown tunics and orange ties (1)
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They wear the same uniform, so what's the difference between the Chalet School and Malory Towers? Well...Episode transcript at https://topholepodcast....
Back to the very beginning
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Loads of spoilers in this consideration of EBD's first book, Gerry Goes to School, without which there would be no Chalet School... what an awful thou...
Shall we make the uniform more artistic?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In October 1925, a new school story arrived in bookshops: The School at the Chalet, by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. 100 years and 58 books later, here we are ...
Marie loses her temper
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New school year, new series - and we're starting with a cracker. Stand by for an explosive - and surprisingly musical - episode!The usual provisos app...
Aunties
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week - woo! - and we're having a discussion about aunties at the Chalet School. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress....
If only I knew what to do with you girls!
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the summer term, which means reviewing a summer term book, and it can only be The School at the Chalet in this, its centenary year. 'Dreary' and ...
A holiday in the Austrian Tirol
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kit and I went on holiday to the Austrian Tirol in May 2025. I didn't manage an audio diary, but here's my account - with a Chalet School slant on eve...
The school run (2)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hayley's back! And this time we're talking about travelling within the UK to the Chalet School in Armishire and South Wales.Transcript available at ht...
The school run (1)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Special guest Hayley joins me on this episode, as we discuss the trains the Chalet girls took to get to and from school on the continent.Transcript av...
High heels and a hand grenade
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A non-Chalet EBD book this week, although it includes a Chalet character (not that you'd recognise her) and reference to a Swiss sanatorium.Transcript...
Bonkers
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wendy and I discuss some of the top bonkers moments and situations in the Chalet School Series. There are plenty to choose from, so if your particular...
I need nine frocks
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back in wartime Armishire for a review of Lavender Laughs at the Chalet School. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/1...
Our highest total ever!
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year when we finish varnishing our scrapbooks and stuffing our toy animals, and encourage our friends and family to get out their pu...
A Romance for Older Girls
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's spend a year or so in Guernsey, catching up with friends. Or, if you've never read any of the La Rochelle books, let's get hugely confused by do...
Paperback writer (2)
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Second half of our discussion of Armada paperbacks - second style covers from 1972 to 1985.You can see most (although not all) of the covers we discus...
Paperback writer (1)
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week (woo-hoo!) and we're discussing Armada books, and particularly their covers. You can see most of these on the boards at https://uk.p...
This one started with Antonia Forest
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Delayed for technical reasons (for which apologies) - in this episode I consider Prunella Davidson's arrival at the School, and refrain from wondering...
Woof, I quite agree, barked Rufus
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The long-promised episode where Wendy and I discuss dogs in EBD's books, and what we learn about training and caring for them. We talk about Rufus and...
A magazine, Christmas, and a bath
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year, so there's really only one Chalet book to talk about!Brittany can be found hereYou can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us o...
Oof!
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Third time lucky for recording this particular episode, which is about backs and back problems (a) at the Chalet School (b) elsewhere in children's li...
On my honour
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An overview both of Girlguiding, and the Chalet School's experience of it.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/s2e7...
The Series Re-boot
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 transc...
The kitten did it
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Campfire's burning
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Don't walk on the table!
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Slipping something into the coffee
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 http...
I've as much right to the book as Moira!
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A look at the start of the Chalet School's final year.You can find Tophole on Facebook and email us at [email protected] transcript at htt...
Deborah visits the Chalet School
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
A holiday to remember
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Chalet School in Yorkshire
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 holid...
Friends, fill-ins and fans
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Unpacking - tennis - and an unsuitable novel
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking about the only Chalet School book my husband attempted to engage with. Apologies for both the lateness, and the sniffs (the two ...
A real-life authoress
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daisy May Johnson is the author of How to be Brave, How to be True, and How to be Free - modern boarding school stories which you should definitely se...
A regular mansion
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A look at the book in which the Chalet School travels to England - retitled "The Chalet School at War" by Armada.Transcript available at topholepodcas...
Primus inter pares (5)
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Josette, Maeve, Rosamund and Len, plus some statistical analysis. A slightly longer episode which entirely makes up for the fact that it's a day late....
Primus inter pares (4)
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've finally arrived in Switzerland, so this week we're talking about Julie, Betsy, Elinor and Mary-Lou, trying to decide on their finest moment (and...
Come to Fairyland
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A short episode this week while we finish editing the last two Primus Inter Pares episodes! Back to the Tirol for Grizel's final two terms at the Chal...
Primus inter pares (3)
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tophole! - the podcast about Elinor M Brent-Dyer, the Chalet School, and anything vaguely connected. More Chalet School head girls in this episode - t...
Primus inter pares (2)
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wendy and I discuss head-girls, their challenges and their triumphs, from Louise Redfield/Redmond to Elizabeth Arnett. Also a short side-rant about sl...
Primus inter pares (1)
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We thought we'd complete this discussion in a single episode. We were wrong. This one takes us from Gisela to Joey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
Snowdrop and the Prince
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A book crammed with events which are referenced in later books - and one of the very best stories from the Tyrol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
The house that shall not be named
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We can't pronounce it, but we know quite a bit about it, even though attempting to draw up floor plans defeated us - and not only because EBD contradi...
That lovely cheque
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How on earth did Jack and Joey afford their huge house, 11 children, and multiple wards and adoptees? Let's find out...Transcript available at tophole...
The dear days of Folly
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you remember the fanzines of the pre-digital age, you might remember Folly, the best of them all. Today I'm talking to Folly's editor, Sue Sims.Lin...
Cavalier Maid
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
EBD didn't just write school stories, and today we're looking at her historical novel for adults, Elizabeth the Gallant. Apologies for the earlier aud...
Morning break
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week (woo!) and today we're considering the Chalet School's consumption of caffeine and nicotine. Probably best not to listen if you're d...
A cockney accent
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Miss Dene was on the stairs and she was a cannibal" is the unfortunate summary of this term whiich we later get, but it doesn't put off Miss Ferrars....
When are you putting yours up?
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Wendy week and we're talking about hair - washing it, cutting it, styling it - at the Chalet School. Also some top beauty (and gardening) tips ...
It's not pointillism
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gwyn Jones is the only artist to have created a book cover for every single Chalet School book (and a few extra ones, as Armada divided some of the or...
School with bells on
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We start with a review of Elinor M Brent-Dyer's The Chalet School and Barbara - bears, shoe lockers, and how long is prep exactly? Hosted on Acast. ...
The usual provisos
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Enjoy the Chalet School books? This is the podcast for you! We are launching on 5 September, so here are the provisos regarding pronunciation, spoiler...