Wyrd Wessex

Fairies are often dismissed as Victorian folklore or Disney magic, but for over a century, the Cottingley Fairies have stood as one of the world's most debated supernatural mysteries. While many call it a childhood prank with paper cutouts, thousands of people are still reporting real fairy sightings today through the Fairy Census. Are these encounters just "tricks of the light," or are we glimpsing a hidden layer of reality that our modern senses have forgotten how to see?This week, Craig and Andy grab the scissors and a Brian Froud book to see if they can replicate the 1917 "hoax" using an iPhone and a bit of Wessex garden shrubbery. We dive into the "ethereal matter" that convinced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the chilling accounts of modern-day witnesses, and the reason a recent trip to a "fairy city" in a Cornish woodland was too weird to be broadcast.In This Episode:The Cottingley Deception: Why two girls with hatpins and Princess Mary’s Gift Book were able to fool the creator of Sherlock Holmes.The Fairy Census: A look at the startling modern data proving that fairy sightings aren't just a thing of the past.The Hidden Layer: Is there a finer plane of existence? We discuss the "ectoplasm" theory and the beings that live right beneath our noses.The Cornwall Incident: Craig and Andy reveal why their encounter with a "thriving city of folk" in a Cornish wood never made it to the main feed.DIY Paranormal: We attempt to recreate the "motion blur" of wings. Does paper and string stand up to a 21st-century lens?Art or Evidence? Why the Cottingley girls might have been "translating" a real experience into something the world could finally see.Check out our website for the photos from today’s experiment and more www.wyrdwessex.co.ukStay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Craig dives deep into the roots of the apple, from the ancient Nine Herbs Charm to the chaotic kidnapping of Idun by the giant Thjazi. We explore why the Saxon cry of Wassail echoed through history long before the Victorians got their hands on it, and why you should never, ever cross a Robin.The Show Notes: Roots, Rituals, and RevelryThe Origins of Wassail: Forget what you think you know about caroling. We trace the etymology from the Anglo-Saxon waes hael (be well) to the heroic halls of Beowulf. We also look at the high-stakes history of the 12 Days of Christmas, including how King Alfred’s legal holiday almost lost him the kingdom to the Vikings.The Nine Herbs Charm: A breakdown of the Nigon Werta Galdor. We explore the Anglo-Saxon medical text Lacnunga and how the crab apple—the only apple native to Britain—was used alongside mugwort and plantain to ward off "venom" and the "nine distempers."The Mythology of Aging: The gods of Asgard find out the hard way that they aren't naturally immortal. We recount Loki’s betrayal, the abduction of Idun, and the daring falcon-flight rescue that saved the Aesir from grey hair and wrinkles.Cider’s Ancient Pedigree: From Celtic crab-apple brews in 3000 BCE to the Roman discovery of British orchards in 55 BC. We also explain the difference between a standard mulled cider and the frothy, apple-pulp delight known as Lambswool.Orchard Magic: Why we fire guns through branches and leave toast for the Robins.Recipe: Hot Saxon CiderA warming, herbal alternative to the modern sugary blends.4 cups Dry cider (or apple juice)2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary2 sprigs Fresh Thyme12 Juniper berries2 tbsp HoneyOptional: A cheeky shot of brandy.Method: Simmer all ingredients for 15 minutes. Strain through muslin and serve immediately to ward off the "wane sickness."Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people spent their weekends binging Stranger Things, watching grown-up kids on bikes fight monsters from the Upside Down. But what if the Hawkins Lab isn't just a Hollywood set? What if the "Upside Down" was inspired by a series of very real and very bizarre allegations involving psychic children, Nazi gold, and a time-travelling portal to Mars?This week, Craig and Andy head across the Atlantic to the tip of Long Island: Camp Hero. We’re diving deep into the rabbit hole of the Montauk Project. We explore the claims of Preston Nichols—a man who says he lived two lives: one as a regular engineer, and another as the director of a clandestine government project that literally tore a hole in the fabric of space-time.From the "Montauk Chair" that could manifest subconscious nightmares to the heartbreaking stories of the "Montauk Boys," we ask: Is this a masterpiece of science fiction or the greatest cover-up in American history?In This Episode:The Hawkins Connection: Why the Duffer Brothers originally titled their show Montauk.The Ghost Ship: How the 1943 Philadelphia Experiment (Project Rainbow) allegedly teleported a Navy destroyer, the USS Eldridge.The Montauk Boys: Distressing first-hand accounts of abducted children, "acid tests," and the research of Brian Minnick.Mission 33 AD: The unbelievable story of "Stan," the researcher allegedly ordered to assassinate Jesus with a revolver.The Beast from the Id: How a subconscious monster finally brought the project to a crashing halt in 1983.Shadow Governments: The real-world precedents of Operation Paperclip, MKUltra, and the Stargate Project.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ding Dong Merrily Christmas Horror: The Berry Man's CarolWelcome to the Wyrd Wessex Christmas AfterWyrd Special,This year, Craig and Andy take a break from all the weird things in the news to present a piece of original festive horror: the terrifying true-ish story of a local investigation that went utterly wrong during the holiday season.In this fictional, bone-chilling narrative, the Wyrdo's head to St. Mary’s of Temple Bottom to document a charity event—a revival of a supposed folk festival featuring the mysterious Berry Man on Faulkner's Hill. What begins as a search for local folklore soon turns into a terrifying encounter with ancient pagan madness, all set to the relentless, unsettling tune of 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'.Merry Christmas and Don't blame the owls!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Emma Brooks and Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Craig sits down with Bob Berry of the Potterne Mummers to dive deep into the heart of a quintessential British folk tradition. From the "Turkish Knight" to "Little Man Jack," we explore the life, death, and comedic rebirth that defines the Potterne Mummer's Play.Stay tuned for the full play at the end of the episode.In this episode:The History of the Play: Bob shares his journey from reviving Morris dancing in Oxfordshire in 1979 to joining the Potterne side in 1987. We learn about the 1953 revival by schoolmaster Bernard Baker and the older roots traced back to Reverend Buchanan in 1896.Characters of the Performance: A breakdown of the seven traditional characters:Father Christmas: The "Master of Ceremonies" (dressed in traditional green tatters, not Coca-Cola red!).King George: The brash hero of the piece.The Turkish Knight: The antagonist who meets a messy (but temporary) end.The Spanish Doctor: The miracle worker with a questionable potion and a high fee.The Valiant Soldier: A boastful warrior ready for a fight.Old Almanac: The short part—perfect for the "new boy" in the troop.Little Man Jack: The mysterious figure carrying his family (dolls) on his back.The Spirit of Mumming: Bob explains the importance of keeping the tradition "pure" versus modernizing it with current affairs, and the friendly "territorial" agreements between different Mumming sides in Wiltshire.Charity at Heart: The Potterne Mummers perform up to 25 times in the five days leading up to Christmas Eve, raising thousands of pounds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.Resources & Links:Wiltshire Air Ambulance: If you enjoyed the performance, please consider donating to the Mummers' primary charity.https://www.wiltshirebathairambulance.org.uk/donate#oneoffStay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.