The Cornish Bird

During the late 18th and early 19th century the Resurrection Men, or the Resurrectionists as they were called, were very active across the country. These ruthless gangs were stealing newly buried bodies to sell and it seems that their activities even made it as far as the rural graveyards of Cornwall.

A slightly different episode this time because I am chatting with the marvellous Keith Wallis, the presenter of the Piskie Trap Podcast, about some of our favourite ghost stories or at least the ones that are interesting us both at the time of recording!

How do ghost stories connect to real episodes from history and why are there so many in Cornwall?

Long held beliefs in witchcraft held sway over people's lives in Cornwall for much longer than you might imagine. Even into the 20th century worried folk would consult wise men and women on everything from health issues to lost possessions, this episodes looks at some stories that revolve around the fear of being ill-wished.

In this episode we discover the incredible archaeological dig the tiny hamlet of Saveock Water near Chacewater that has revealed bizarre witchcraft/fertility rituals that have been taking place on that site for hundreds of years.

In my 40th episode I uncover the truth behind the secretive religious sect of Jericho Valley, the Brotherhood of the Essenes, who buried their 'King Dog' there in 1969.