A pivotal summer term book this time, as we look at the Chalet School's final term on St Briavel's - a book which might well have inspired Roald Dahl, given that it could be subtitled "The Chalet School and the Chocolate Factory". Subjects I had to google while researching this episode included how much milk a goat produces, 1950s university entrance requirements, the Allied occupation of Austria, and the actual definition of a step-sister.

Please don't panic if the next episode is late - we are about to go on holiday a podcast research trip to Guernsey.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/06/02/s3e17-so-long-farewell-auf-wiedersehen-good-bye/

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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The 50th book in the Chalet School series was specially written by EBD to mark the occasion, and she dedicated it to fans - so this is OUR book. It's more of a romance than a school story, but mostly we, the readers, are reunited with characters we love, in situations which we recognise from earlier tales in the series. Cliff-dangling rescue? Check. Torrent of water blocking the way? Check. Marriage to a doctor? Check. But this isn't recycling. It's referencing, and that makes all the difference.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/s3e16-fat-shaming-drug-pushing-and-an-ornate-belt-buckle/.

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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Hayley and Deborah discuss fan fiction, particularly about Chalet School. Audio warning: we recorded this using Teams, and you can tell Kit was not there supervising!

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/s3e15-comfort-and-joy/

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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It's a Wendy week and we're discussing how a talented producer might go about making a documentary about the Chalet School, just in case any talented producers listen to the podcast.

Please substitute 'Paul Ozanne' where I said 'Julian Lucy'.

Episode transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/21/s3e14-girls-on-film/.

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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Back at last with an episode answering a question posed by Kit.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/07/s3e13-saved-by-the-medium-of-fashion/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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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 times. I know, right? We're looking at Trials for the Chalet School.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/s3e12-the-secret-life-of-mlle-lachenais/

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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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. Context, that's it - we're providing context, we're not just rambling. Glad we've cleared that up.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/s3e11-something-to-keep-your-hands-occupied/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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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 only one answer to that...

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/s3e10-i-didnt-think/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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