A series of audio dramas, artistic creations and interviews inspired by the archive and local history collections relating to York. The city’s civic archive is one of the most significant outside London, covering over 800 years of York’s history as a self-governing authority. The collection is remarkable both for its continuity and its comprehensiveness, detailing all aspects of life in the city. Local organisations and individuals are also represented in the archive’s ‘community collections’ which date from 1529 onwards. Through our award-winning community arts projects, we continue to challenge the imaginations of our archivists, artists and creatives to use the collections to reach new and diverse audiences.
History is about to misbehave...
Spokes - Jorvik Radio Interview with Kate Valentine and Paul Birch
Kate Valentine and Paul Birch join Nick Love on Jorvik Radio to talk about History Misbehaves: Spokes — a new community audio drama inspired by the Clifton Cycling Club archive. They share how the project blends local history with creative writing, how participants helped shape the script, and why verse, humour and community spirit became central to this year’s piece. The interview explores the collaborative process, the joy of discovering unexpected stories in the archives, and the lasting i...
8 Mar 2026
History Misbehaves: Spokes
What happens when you mix a 19th‑century cycling club, a modern-day library, and a group of imaginative Clifton residents? You get History Misbehaves: Spokes—a lively audio drama that pedals between past and present, echoing the warmth, humour, and creativity found in the Clifton Cycling Club archive. Founded in 1895 at The Old Grey Mare, the club recorded their memories in poems, photos, and beautifully kept scrapbooks. Inspired by this tradition, participants in six crea...
6 May 2025
Time Travel Radio - Jorvik Radio Interview with Kate Valentine and Paul Birch
Nick Love interviews writer Paul Birch and director Kate Valentine about their creative process behind the audio drama, exploring how archives inspire stories and the joys of community collaboration.
12 Feb 2025
Time Travel Radio
Dorrie Brown, Holly Beer, and Heather explore local life through time, using archival material from the Acomb Manorial Record and Acomb Herald magazine.
7 Feb 2025
History Misbehaves: No Chance of Peace
Amy, a wartime resident portrayed in a dramatic monologue, confronts fear and pressure while awaiting her husband's return, revealing the anxieties of life during conflict in this episode.
7 Feb 2025
History Misbehaves: All Change
Marie and Rose explore Tang Hall's history through dramatic monologues, envisioning a brighter future inspired by the stories of York residents in this audio co-creation.
31 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: Mr Hawley's Boots
Rachel, a young girl in an Anderson shelter, recounts a tragic local event during a wartime blackout in this dramatic monologue inspired by Tang Hall stories.
31 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: Head Above Water
Leonard's life transforms as he moves to the Tang Hall estate in this dramatic monologue, revealing the rich histories of Tang Hall residents in an interview with Paul Birch and Kate Valentine.
24 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: The Diary of Lady Starkey
Lady Starkey's diary reveals her fierce determination to protect her Tang Hall estate from poachers, showcasing the dramatic monologues co-created by Tang Hall residents, Paul Birch, and Kate Valentine.
24 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: All the King's Women
Nan Ball's story unfolds as she bravely disguises herself as a soldier during the Civil War to follow her heart, revealing the strength and determination of women in history.
17 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: The End of the World
Paul Birch and Kate Valentine present a dramatic monologue about Noah, who digs plague pits during a dark time, inspired by Tang Hall's rich history.
17 Jan 2025
History Misbehaves: The Beast of Tang Hall
Paul Birch and Kate Valentine present a dramatic monologue about Leoric, a hunter in medieval Tang Hall, risking everything to provide for his family in the wild forests.
19 May 2023
INNovating Audio – Episode 3 – One for the Road
This episode explores the sounds and stories of 1820s coaching inns in York through the audio drama "INNovating," co-created by community researchers and actors Paul Birch and Kate Valentine.
12 May 2023
INNovating Audio Episode 2 – The Arrival
This episode presents "INNovating Audio Episode 2 – The Arrival," a binaural audio drama co-created by community researchers and actors, transporting listeners to 1820s York through immersive sound.
5 May 2023
INNovating Audio Episode 1 - A Class Act
This episode explores the creation of "INNovating," a binaural audio drama co-created by community members, which recreates the atmosphere of 1820s coaching inns in York.
26 Nov 2020
The Nuisance Inspector
This episode presents an audio drama about a 1930s York Health Inspector who uncovers sinister secrets and ghostly events during the Hungate Clearances, revealing a tale of love, loss, and community spirit.
17 Nov 2020
Teaser - The Nuisance Inspector
This teaser episode previews "The Nuisance Inspector," an audio drama set in 1930s York, where a health inspector uncovers sinister secrets during the Hungate Clearances.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
15,620
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
30
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
0
Contact History is about to misbehave
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about History is about to misbehave
Who hosts History is about to misbehave?
Kate Valentine and Paul Birch host the show. Published by Explore York.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does History is about to misbehave take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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