Wyrd Wessex

• Sandown Clown Prophecies (AI Bears, Organ Plot, & Mulder and Scully)

  (This episode covers some disturbing material, so listener discretion is advised.)Join the Wyrdo's as they celebrate hitting 666 followers and delve into the latest high strangeness and unsettling news stories from the UK and beyond.In This Episode's Wyrd News:The Sandown Clown Prophecies: A massive update to the classic 1973 case! New documentation reveals the girl, Fay, met the entity four more times over 16 years. Sam delivered prophecies about the Cold War and a chilling final message: "The last time you will see me until the end."AI Nightmare Bear: An AI-powered teddy bear is pulled from the market after it offered children shocking advice on finding knives, lighting matches, and escalating conversations into graphic sexual topics, including shibari knots for beginners.UK Organ Trafficking Plot: A shocking, true story about a man tricked into coming to Britain under the guise of a job, only to discover his kidney was scheduled to be harvested for financial reward.Mulder and Scully: Andy and Craig discuss their tribute song finally being played to a surprising X-Files star on BBC Wales!a viral video of a T-800 robot attacking its CEO!"Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted 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.

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• Living Folklore: Dave Brewis on Community, Custodians, and the Gatherings Series | Wyrd Wessex

  The Wyrdo's are honoured to welcome filmmaker Dave Brewis, the man behind the fascinating documentary series, Gatherings.Dave has spent years documenting the enduring traditions and living folklore that often get dismissed by mainstream media as "weird" or "eccentric." We dive deep into his unique observational philosophy—which uses "custodians, not commentators"—and why these customs, from the Horn Dance to the Haxy Hood, are essential, self-perpetuating acts of community built around a sense of place.Key Discussion Points & Philosophical TakeawaysAdapt or Die: We discuss the critical philosophy: "We must adapt and make changes even if it means bending tradition, because holding on too tightly causes tradition to stop."The Healing Power of Folk: The ultimate takeaway is the human warmth and generosity these non-commercial activities generate, offering something "quite healing" against modern individualism and screen-based activity. Dave argues the focus should be on regional identity, not a single national story.The British Irony: How his work led him to document the uniquely British sense of humour and daftness, which the French call le deuxième degré (irony).The Media Problem: How customs have historically been treated as "off-beat" throwaways by media, from Pathé newsreels onwards.Featured Customs: We cover the Burry Man (and the crucial 'does he pee?' question), the Haxy Hood, Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, Rush Bearing, and the Bonfire Societies.The French Parallel: Dave describes the surreal, blackface bear-shaving tradition of La Fête de l'Ours in the Pyrenees.Wessex Folklore: Craig shares plans to finally document the local Potterne Mummers' Play.Where to Watch GatheringsDave Brewis’s documentary series Gatherings is available now!Website: gatherings.tv (Find all links here)Streaming Platforms (UK, US, AUS, CAN): Search for Gatherings on Apple (4K), Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV/Movies.Thank you once more, Dave Brewis, and thank you everyone for tuning in.Until next time, 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.

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• Slender Man Update, Drunk Vicar & Countdown Stabbing! AfterWyrd News

  Hello, and welcome to AfterWyrd! Craig and Andy are already in their Christmas tops, but don't let the festive cheer fool you – they're diving into some seriously dark and bizarre news this week!From shocking updates on the Slender Man case to a drunk vicar's car crash and an unbelievable stabbing at a Countdown tournament, plus a quick chat about Krampus and haunted pooping puppets. This episode is packed with the strange, the kooky, and the utterly unexpected.In This Episode:Slender Man Update: A concerning and emotional update on Morgan, one of the teens involved in the infamous Slender Man stabbing case, including their recent escape from a group home and new legal developments.The Drunk Vicar Car Crash: Hear the unbelievable tale of a vicar in Lincoln who was banned from driving after crashing the Bishop's car while drunk, creating a scene straight out of Father Ted!Countdown Stabbing: The shocking story of a former Countdown champion handed an indefinite hospital order after stabbing a rival contestant at an unofficial tournament – a truly dark turn for a beloved quiz show.Kaga Tio & Christmas: Andy dusts off his old friend Kaga Tio, a pooping puppet, amidst Christmas decorations and Krampus banter."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted 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.

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• Krampus: The Anti-Santa (The Dark History of Christmas Punishers)

  It’s the Christmas season, so forget the jingle bells! This week, the Wyrdo's dive into the dark heart of European Christmas folklore, exploring the chaotic, shaggy-haired creature who is here to punish the naughty, not just ignore them: Krampus!We explore the terrifying Alpine beast, his roots in ancient pagan worship, and the enduring need for a dark companion to Saint Nicholas.The Horned Horror of KrampusnachtThe Beast: We define Krampus—the monstrous, half-goat, half-demon figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore—and confirm that Krampusse (the plural) are an entire class of entity, not just an individual.The Tools: We look at his terrifying methods: appearing on Krampusnacht (December 5th) to use birch branches (the Ruten) and chains, leaving the truly wicked to be stuffed into his sack and dragged to hell.The Saints: We contrast Krampus with the original Saint Nicholas—a Christian Bishop who performed countless miracles, slapped a heretic at the Council of Nicaea, and resurrected the three Pickled Boys from a butcher's brine barrel!Pagan Roots, Bans, and the Wild HuntAncient Origins: We trace Krampus's lineage to pre-Christian horned figures like the Roman fauns, Greek satyrs, the Celtic god Cernunnos, and the terrifying processions of the Wild Hunt.The Banishment: We look at how both the Catholic Church (Inquisition) and the Fascist Government of the 1930s tried—and failed—to suppress the unruly traditions of the Krampuslauf.Early Commercialism: We detail his earlier, slightly gentler moment on Krampus Kards between the 1890s and World War I.The Cousins in TerrorThe dark enforcer is an endemic European concept. We meet Krampus’s equally terrifying relatives:Knecht Ruprecht (Germany): The shaggy farmhand who uses switches and has an ash-smeared face.Hans Trapp (France): A demonised, excommunicated 15th-century knight and land-grubber whose crimes merged with folklore.Perchta (The Alps): The ancient figure who embodies light and dark, famous for being the Belly-Slitter, who replaces organs with rubbish.Zwarte Piet (Netherlands): The contentious literary creation of a "Blackamoor" who accompanies Sinterklaas.The Wessex ParallelThe Dorset Ooser: We explore our local, terrifying, horned, wooden head used to scare children and enforce morality in Skimmington Riding. The original Ooser disappeared after 1897, possibly incinerated by a priest.The Mari Lwyd (Wales): The bizarre Yuletide hobby horse constructed around a horse’s skull that demands entry to houses via rhyming contests.Modern SurvivalWe analyse why Krampus is thriving today, from the chaotic, sanctioned costumed riots of the Krampuslauf to his role as the anti-Santa in pop-culture, films, and "ugly Christmas jumpers." The controversy continues today, with Christian leaders in America still trying to ban the runs, confirming his enduring power as a symbol of the uncontrollable.Final Thought: As Al Ridenour writes, "If nothing is bad, nothing is good." These dark companions are the necessary, ancient contrast needed to truly appreciate the light of Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Hitler's Genetic Secret, Ozzy's Secret Daughter, & The Farting Velodrome (AfterWyrd News)

  Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd, the home of the strange, the mysterious, and the downright odd news. The Wyrdo's are back with a bumper episode that covers everything from genetic analysis of the Führer to spectral flatulence in London.Hitler's Secret Genetic DisorderNew DNA analysis of a blood-stained cloth reveals that Hitler had a hidden genetic disorder that likely hindered the development of his sexual organs, backing up the decades-old wartime song. We discuss the analysis of the Führer’s DNA profile, which revealed Kalman syndrome, suggesting a struggle to form sexual relationships, and the evidence that he may have been neurodivergent. We also explore the ethical conflicts of the research with geneticist Turi King, who identified Richard III's remains.Ozzy's Secret Daughter and Bizarre CorrespondenceThe talk turns to the bizarre as we examine the saga of a woman claiming to be Ozzy Osbourne’s secret daughter. Sharon, Kelly, and Jack reveal the array of bizarre items sent through the post to the family, including toenail clippings and blood, as Kelly discusses the severely inappropriate claims of speaking to the late rocker beyond the grave.The Farting Velodrome and the Search for GodThe hosts explore architectural oddities, including the London landmark that appears to make a farting sound when fireworks are set off near it—the Pringle-shaped Olympic Velodrome. We also discuss the viral TikTok footage and other strange acoustical architecture like the Whispering Gallery and Mexico's El Castillo Pyramid.We then look at the French engineering bestseller, God, the Science, the Evidence, which claims to prove the existence of God through the complexity of DNA structure and the fine-tuning argument, leading to a discussion on philosophical arguments, mega churches, and the ethics of wealth in religion.Nic Cage and Jesus HorrorFinally, we review the buzz around the film The Carpenter's Son, depicting the childhood of Jesus Christ starring Nicholas Cage as Joseph, discussing the film's profound themes, archaic language, and that reliably present Cage freakout moment."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted 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.

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