Weird in the Wade

• Part Two: The Witches of Bedfordshire

  In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch. The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the satanic panic. Nat ponders whether we have moved far enough away from the causes and motivations of the 17th century witch trials. But ends the episode with a delightful piece of witch related folklore. This episode contains some descriptions of cruelty to animals but Nat gives you a heads up before those sections.  You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog Follow the podcast on social media via linktree Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon.  Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and the track Waking Up are by Tess Savigear All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound.     

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• Part One: The Witches of Bedfordshire

  In this episode Nat takes you on a journey, exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from medieval times up until the late 18th century. Kicking off with a ghost story about a witch.  This episode moves from what is possibly Bedfordshire's earliest record of witchcraft, to the witch trials of the 17th century and beyond. It seems even when persecuting witches was outlawed in 1735, the people of Bedfordshire persisted in attempting to punish those who they thought dabbled in magical harm. Part Two which is available now, which follows up from the 19th century to modern day. In this episode Dr Francis Young, provides his insight into 16th century religious and political matters. Tess Savigear voices an account of the "Dunstable witch," Elizabeth Pratt. Owen Staton voices an account of the "witch of Oakley." Matt Savigear voices the curious case of a husband and wife accused of witchcraft in Silsoe.  You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog Follow the podcast on social media via linktree Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon.  Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and the tracks, Waking Up and The Ladies Sutton are by Tess Savigear Oboe on The Ladies Sutton is played by Charlotte Pascoe  All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound.     

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• 25 Old Ragbones: Biggleswade's Unidentified Man

  As the missing person's charity, Locate International launch a fresh appeal into "Biggleswade Man" Nat takes a closer look at this missing persons, and unidentified body case. Even if you don't live in Biggleswade you could hold the key to solving this 28 year mystery.  In February 1997 some schoolboys playing truant discovered the body of a homeless man. They recognised this man as "Old Ragbones," an itinerate tool sharpener.  Old Ragbones attracted rumours in life and even more so in death. After 28 years he has still not been identified. Someone must know who he is. Somewhere a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend, even a colleague misses him and wonders what became of him. He may have had links to London and further afield. Listen to this fascinating episode and please share it with others. Do you hold the key to this man's identity?  You can find more information and see images of our mystery man on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog  Or visit Locate International's appeal: https://locate.international/appeals/biggleswade-man Thanks go out to the people of Biggleswade who shared information with me about their memories of this mysterious man. Especially Craig, Roy and Angela who shared statements with me.  Voice acting in this episode is from Owen Staton and Paul Gledhill.  Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear All additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound. 

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• Where's Weird in the Wade?

  Just a quick update to let you know where your Weird in the Wade episode is? Don't worry new episodes are on their way. You won't have to wait long. Listen to find out why the Witches of Bedfordshire episodes will be a little late. There's also exciting news about an appeal to find a missing man who's body was discovered in Biggleswade 28 years ago. He has never been identified. Coming in the next few days is an episode about this tragic mystery. Can you help identify Old Ragbones, as he was known to the local children, Biggleswade's Mystery Man? No matter where you are in the world, you could hold the key to solving this mystery. 

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• 24. The Mystery of Pegnut Wood's Creepy Bridge

  There's a wood between the Bedfordshire town of Potton and the ancient hamlet of Sutton, which has spooked many locals including Nat. The creepiness seems to coalesce around an ancient bridge along an equally venerable footpath which has possibly been in use for over 1000 years.  After Nat encountered this strange part of the woods nearly three years ago, she's been trying to piece together it's history and to find a cause of the unsettling feelings walkers have described. Why do few birds sing in that part of the woods? Was the path used as a route to an execution site? Is a big cat sighting from the 1990s somehow involved? Nat uncovers Victorian fake news along the way and a torrid tale of polluted waterways and sewage dumps, but does she discover the truth? Find photographs and further reading on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog If you have any suggestions or questions email [email protected] Thanks to local author Paul Jameson for his insight and here's where you can find out more about his wonderful books: https://www.modquokka.com/ Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music is by Tess Savigear All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound.   

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