Weird in the Wade

It seems rather strange that two of the world’s most famous aviation mysteries originated in Bedfordshire, those of the Flying Duchess and Glenn Miller. Nat has always had a fascination with the Glenn Miller disappearance and that of Amelia Earhart, but the story of the flying Duchess was new to her, along with the ghost stories attached to the Duchess.

In this episode Nat explores the pioneers of early flight and ponders why we are so fascinated by aviation mysteries and disappearances. You’ll hear from Adrian Perkins the Ghost Detective who leads ghost walks around Twinwood the former Airforce base that Glenn Miller’s last fateful flight took off from. Nat also speaks with one of the worlds if not the world’s leading authorities on Amelia Earhart, Chris Williamson from the Chasing Earhart project and podcast.

Along the way Nat explores the V1 rockets terrorising London in the summer of 1944 and the important role Bedford played for the BBC in wartime.

It’s a jam-packed episode before weird in the wade takes a short break. The podcast will return on Monday 26th October for a new series with a Halloween special. Listen to the end of the episode to find out more.

Find further information and links for this episode on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog and keep in touch with Nat on social media @weirdinthewade

Thank you to Adrian Perkins and Chris Williamson

Thank you to Ash McCrudden for additional research for this episode.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear
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In this final exploration of abandoned places Nat explores haunted hospitals. Busy thriving hospitals seem to attract many ghost stories, but what of the hospital buildings which become disused or are repurposed? Do these former centres of medicine have particular ghost stories and paranormal experiences associated with them?

Nat starts with the hospital she was born in, Princess Mary’s Hospital RAF Halton. One wing, which had once been a plastic surgery hub, seemed to generate many strange experiences and stories.

A listener to the show, Laura shares her experience of visiting the hospital when it was derelict and waiting for demolition.

Nat chats with a local urban explorer about the safety and legal issues associated with exploring abandoned sites.

Nat also investigates Bedford hospital’s north and south wings, each of which have abandoned or disused sections that have attracted eerie tales and sightings.

Finally, Nat speaks with Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh podcast about the stories of haunted hospitals he has discovered whilst researching a new book. Some of these stories are deeply disturbing.

If you want to see images of the places mentioned in this episode and read more about them visit the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Contact Nat on weirdinthewade@gmail.com or on social media

For ad free episodes and bonus content check out the show's Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thanks to Laura and Olie for sharing their experiences.

Special thanks to Wayne Gilbert for sharing his stories with us.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this third episode exploring why abandoned, ruined and derelict places attract so much folklore and urban legends, Nat looks at more recent ruins.

Steph Lay of City of Secrets project tells Nat about a derelict farm on the outskirts of Milton Keynes with the deliciously creepy name of Devils Den Farm. Steph shares some more urban derelict places within the city.

Nat digs deeper into the history of Devils Den Farm and in comparing it with an abandoned Biggleswade farmhouse stumbles across a heart-breaking but fascinating piece of family history. This story at first appears like a plot from an Agatha Christie novel but proves to be something more poignant.

Nat also explores the ghost stories and urban legends that are attached to our disused railway lines, exploring tales associated with a Bedfordshire railway tunnel, which is now a nature reserve as well as stories from Lincolnshire past railways.

This episode does contain stories and discussion about suicide, and a warning is given before that section begins. The show blog weirdinthewade.blog has a list of organisations which can provide help to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or those affected by suicide.

Want ad free episodes? Want more from Weird in the Wade join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thank you to Steph Lay for your wonderful stories from Milton Keynes.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Additional editing in this episode is by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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In a second episode considering abandoned places in
Bedfordshire, Nat explores the devastation caused by the Black Death in the 14th century. This includes the myths and legends which grew up around the plague, as well as the villages and settlements left in ruins.

Cainhoe Castle near Clophill is one example Nat explores. The site is now part of a nature reserve (Clophill Lakes) and Nat chats with Daniel Bowles from the Green Sand Trust to learn more about the castle, it’s origins and why it was abandoned.

Nat then also explores the lost settlement of Kinwick near Biggleswade and how a 13th century murder holds clues to where it was situated.

Old Linslade is another Bedfordshire village which was changed forever by the black death which Nat explores.

There’s some exciting news from the world of genetics which also sheds light on why some were struck down by the black death whilst others
survived.

Thank you to Daniel and Kayte from the Green Sand Trust for their help and expertise.

Find show links, photos and video to accompany this episode including links to Bryan Bland's Cainhoe Castle walks at: weirdinthewade.blog

Get in touch with weird in the wade at weirdinthewade.gmail.com

Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and extra content here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Listen to Nat on Caught Up In Crime podcast wherever you get your podcasts or here on apple and here on Spotify

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and
produced by Nat Doig

Additional editing by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

!!! Last chance to get tickets to Bedfordshire's Dark History a show created by Nat Doig and Olie Campbell. Saturday 25th July 2pm The Quarry Theatre Bedford. Grab tickets here !!!

In this episode Nat joins Bryan Bland (of Ampthill Ghost Walks and who is Ampthill’s new town crier) to explore the history and legends which swirl around the ruins of Houghton House. A place beloved by the romantic poets, artists and 20th century ghost hunters.

Nat also uncovers the history of two of Bedfordshire’s long lost castles. Ampthill castle which was a favourite of Henry VIII and prison to Catherine of Aragon. And Biggleswade’s own castle, which was completely forgotten for hundreds of years until aerial photographs rediscovered it in 1954.

Along the way we’ll meet phantom knights, and highwaymen along with the ghost of Queen Catherine herself.

Check out the show blog for links and further reading here

Find weird in the wade on social media here

Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and bonus content here

Thanks to Bryan Bland for his expert knowledge and storytelling.Weird in the wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat DoigTheme music by Tess Savigear
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