A Song Born From an Extraordinary Life

What happens when you ask one of Britain's most acclaimed contemporary folk songwriters to tell the story of someone whose life has been anything but ordinary?

As part of BBC Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy was paired with Hannah Lancaster from Ludlow, a woman whose remarkable journey has seen her take on many roles, including carer, firefighter and cyclist. Over a series of conversations, Katherine got to know the experiences, challenges and moments that have shaped Hannah's life, discovering a story rich with resilience, determination and humanity.

The result was The Long Way Home, a moving folk ballad inspired directly by Hannah's experiences and crafted through Katherine's distinctive songwriting.

In this special conversation, Tina Daheley brings Hannah and Katherine together to reflect on their first meeting, the creative process behind the song, and what it feels like to hear a lifetime of memories transformed into music. They discuss the emotional journey of sharing personal stories, the responsibility of turning real lives into songs, and the powerful connection that can emerge when music and lived experience meet.

It's a fascinating insight into the making of The Long Way Home and the extraordinary life that inspired it.