Weird in the Wade

• The Burryman

  On a summer wander away from Biggleswade, Nat investigates one of the UK's strangest seasonal folk customs, the Burryman of Queensferry. For centuries a man covered from head to ankle in spiky burdock seedheads has walked along the banks of the Firth of Forth, bringing luck and banishing evil from the town. Uniquely Scottish, looking like a man covered in bees or a bear walking on his hind legs, scaring young children, but fascinating them all the same, the Burryman is a striking vision indeed. But as Nat joined the Burryman procession in 2024 she became intrigued by the origins of this custom, and what it means now to the community of Queensferry and beyond. With insights from the Burryman himself, his attendants and the team behind the procession and Queensferry's Ferry Fair, Nat pieces together the history of the Burryman and how he is inspiring folk from all around the world.   Special thanks to Andrew (the Burryman,) his attendants Andrew and Duncan, and team, Claire, Erin, Doc and Paul for their time and expertise in this episode. Thank you to Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh for reading the article form the Dunfermline Press. Thank you to the Blue Moon Pickers for their live folk music which is included in this episode. And a huge thank you to Daniel Patrick Quinn for allowing me to use his wonderful track The Burryman (featuring Duncan Grahl,)   Find out more about the Burryman and this episode on the show blog weridinthewade.blog Email Nat: [email protected]   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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• 31. Biggleswade's Phantom Army

  The medieval chronicles are peppered with odd tales amongst the mundane, when folklorist and historian Dr Francis Young came across one of these peculiar stories he shared it with Nat, because it happened at Biggleswade. In this episode Francis and Nat ask, and hopefully answer the questions: what was this strange sight? What did it mean to the witnesses? How have our interpretations of the uncanny and otherworldly changed over the centuries? They also explore how landscape shapes and holds secrets about our past beliefs and activities.   Who were these "monstrous fighting men," and do they have a link to Viking and Saxon history? Find out in this episode of Weird in the Wade.   Read more on the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog Find out more about Dr Francis Young at: https://drfrancisyoung.com/about/ Find out more about Weird in the Wade Ghost Walks here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/weird-in-the-wade-79765637113 Vote for Weird in the Wade in the listeners choice award for the British Podcast Awards here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Join Weird in the Wade's Patreon to support the show and get extra content: patreon.com/WeirdintheWade Social Media links and more can be found here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade   Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig. Special thanks for the contributions of Dr Francis Young in this episode. Theme music by Tess Savigear

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• 30 The Secrets of Royston Cave

  Beneath the pretty market town of Royston in Hertfordshire, lies a cave that was carved out of the chalk by hand, in the distant past. After being dramatically rediscovered in the mid 18th century, Royston cave has spawned competing theories about its use and meaning and has been a tourist attraction ever since. Smothered in medieval carvings which in turn have been covered by more recent etched graffiti, this cave is unique in many ways. Linked to the Knights Templar by some, an important spiritual site to many, and an historical curiosity from the moment a small boy climbed down into the cave in 1742, to describe what he saw to the town’s folk eager for treasure. Nat is joined by Emma the current custodian of the cave, and Matt Champion an archaeologist who specialises in medieval graffiti, who has studied the cave extensively. Together they try to unravel the mystery that swirls around the site. Nat also speaks with Emma Butler of the RUE Papers podcast, about why we’re drawn to caves, and her experiences working at a very different cave in Yorkshire, that of Mother Shipton. Check out images and video of the cave at weirdinthewade.blog If you would like to get in touch with Nat, you can find her on social media @weirdinthewade or email at [email protected] Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music is by Tess Savigear

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• 29. Return to the Haunted Poundstretcher

  As a celebration of two years of Weird in the Wade, Nat returns to the subject of her first ever episode: The Haunted Poundstretcher. The site is now a café and gym where Nat and her team of friends hold a ghost hunt overnight. They have access to the café, gym, attic and cellar space. They hear from staff and visitors who have experienced something uncanny in and outside of the building. Nat also explores why the rumour that the ghost girl who haunts the site, died in a fire, might have a grain of truth to it. Using a ghost hunting kit, and with advice from Parapsychologist and Uncanny sceptic Dr Ciarán O'Keefe, Nat embarks on her first ever ghost hunt. Find out what scares and delights the ghost hunters on this special episode of Weird in the Wade. Read more about the ghost hunt on the Weird in the Wade Blog https://weirdinthewade.blog/2025/04/29/return-to-the-haunted-poundstretcher-show-notes-and-links/ Follow the show on social media here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade Or join Team Weird on Patreon for extra and exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade This episode of Weird in the Wade was researched, written and presented by Nat Doig Audio Producer: Lucy Dearlove Assistant Producer: Liv Woodward Theme music by Tess Savigear All additional music by Epidemic Sounds

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• Witches Apprehended! Mary and Mother Sutton

  In 1612 in Milton Ernest, a village five miles north of Bedford, two women, a mother and daughter are accused and tried by their village for witchcraft. Their story is written up in a propaganda pamphlet the following year, and their case is used in a 1627 legal guide for witchcraft cases. Yet even those who are familiar with the dark tales of England's witch trials often have not heard of their story. The 1612 Northampton witch trial is often credited as the first documented evidence of ducking being used in such trials. But Mary Sutton was ducked at least a month or two before Northampton. It's a sad story, but an important one. It's a story that has been misreported from it's very start. In this episode Nat Doig, pieces together the events, looking beyond the propaganda and tries to make sense of a senseless attack on these two women.  The episode stars Owen Staton in the roles of Cornelius Harbird, and John Inger. Owen has his own podcast Time Between Time Storytelling which you can listen to here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/time-between-times-storytelling-with-owen-staton/id1573244734 The beautiful Ladies Sutton theme was composed especially for this episode by Tess Savigear and performed by Tess on piano and Charlotte Pascoe on oboe.  Check out the show blog for further information and show notes at weirdinthewade.blog Support the show on Patreon and receive exclusive content every month: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade Find links to social media and other ways to support and engage with the show at: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and Ladies Sutton theme composed by Tess Savigear, oboe by Charlotte Pascoe All additional sound effects and music from Epidemic Sound   

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