The Wonderful Hour 1st August 2025

Written by Jason Of Shrine

Category: The Wonderful Hour

Charity Shops, Mis-Texting, Scissors — and More Wonders

This week’s Wonderful Hour with Tommy Boyd travels from the familiar comforts of coffee bars and bumping into old friends, through heartfelt stories of loyalty and love, and into unexpected corners of daily life that turn out to be, well, wonderful. From the bargains of charity shops to the comedy of accidental texts, from the practicality of heavy-duty scissors to the timeless style of Panama hats, the show reminds us how much there is to celebrate in the ordinary.

Community at the Coffee Bar

Tommy reflects on the simple joy of being a regular at a local coffee bar. At Lucky’s in Chichester, the staff know his order — a double espresso and a cold ginger beer, no glass — and greet him by name. Watching passers-by, he notices how rare and uplifting it is when two people unexpectedly recognise one another in the street. Recognition, he concludes, is wonderful.

Love and Loyalty

Listener Anthony shares a moving story from hospital: an older couple facing routine yet exhausting treatment, with the husband faithfully moving from chair to chair as his wife is relocated for her drip. His quiet reassurance — “we’re in it together, love” — embodies the true meaning of in sickness and in health. Tommy calls it wonderful.

Charity Shops

From cheerful assistants to unexpected treasures, Tommy has fallen for charity shops. His first serious purchase: a huge anthology of great letters, including Queen Elizabeth II apologising to an American president for forgetting a scone recipe. The humanity and humour preserved in such correspondence underline why charity shops, with their warmth and surprises, are wonderful.

Sandwiches

Tommy celebrates the humble sandwich. From classic cheese and pickle to the extravagance of crayfish tails, sandwiches are now everywhere, wrapped neatly in plastic triangles and eaten on the go. He remembers a time when they weren’t so widely available, and marvels at how far they’ve come. Sandwiches, he insists, are absolutely wonderful.

Scissors

Not just any scissors, but a decent pair of heavy-duty kitchen shears. With large grips, strength for tough jobs, and pride of place in the drawer, they are as satisfying to own as they are to use. Even Tommy’s wife admired their look before they were tested. A reliable pair of scissors, he concludes, is wonderful.

Panama Hats

Tommy interviews Mavie from the Panama Hat Company, who shares the history and craftsmanship of these iconic straw hats woven in Ecuador. Lightweight, stylish, and often passed down through generations, Panama hats are described as the Ray-Bans of headwear. They lift the spirits and keep the sun off your nose — a hat, Tommy agrees, that is wonderful.

Watching Again and Again

Rewatching favourite clips online, Tommy admits, is a joy. His current obsession is Frank Langella performing a Mel Brooks tribute. Knowing every gesture and pause has turned it into something intimate, comforting, and deeply uplifting. Watching again and again, he insists, is wonderful.

Tooth Brushing

Even something as routine as brushing your teeth becomes wonderful in Tommy’s telling. It wakes up the gums, tongue, and lips, leaving the whole mouth tingling and alive. Add a dash of mouthwash and it’s almost a guilty pleasure, refreshing body and spirit alike.

Mis-Texting

Tommy recalls a comic accident: texting broadcaster Iain Dale with “I love you xxx” instead of his wife. Mis-texting may be awkward, but it’s also human, funny, and oddly endearing. As he notes, we’ve all done it — and that makes it wonderful.

How to Get Involved and Listen

The Wonderful Hour is fuelled by your contributions. Share your own “wonderful” — a quirky moment, heartfelt memory, or small delight — at the official submission form. Tommy often reads the best on air.

You can listen directly via Libsyn, or find the show on Podbean, Podcast Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search “The Wonderful Hour Tommy Boyd.”

Subscribe, rate, and share your favourite moments on social media to spread the wonder.

Conclusion

From charity shops and scissors to Panama hats and accidental texts, Tommy turns everyday moments into celebrations. The Wonderful Hour continues to remind us that the extraordinary is hiding in plain sight — if only we pause to notice.

Created on August 1, 2025