Weird in the Wade

33. A Spectral Army at Sempringham

On a summer wander away from the wade, Nat visits a South Lincolnshire hillside which has attached to it an intriguing medieval tale of a phantom army. In a strange coincidence, Nat learns that her brother who runs there regularly has a tale to tell about that hillside as well. Sempringham was the site of an abbey and a monastic order founded by an Englishman, St Gilbert. The site holds a holy well and a link to a Welsh princess, as well as possibly Vikings. Join Nat, her brother Chris and Dr Francis Young as they uncover the secrets of Sempringham.
Nat also announces some important news about the podcast towards the end of the episode along with an update on this year's Burryman procession.
Weird in the Wade Live!
Want to catch Weird in the Wade live, at The Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade for a live podcast recording and more?
It's happening on Sunday 2nd November 2025 at 3pm
Grab your tickets here: https://wegottickets.com/event/673203/
British Podcast Awards
There's still time to vote for Weird in the Wade on the listeners choice award at the British Podcast Awards! Just visit this link: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
Important news:
Weird in the Wade will be taking a short break but will return in October, in time for Halloween and will then become a fortnightly podcast! Episodes will be released every two weeks between October and July. Make sure you're subscribed on BBC Sounds so you don't miss an episode.
Credits:
Today's episode features Emily Elle Watts as Edith
Thank you to:Dr Francis Young for his expertiseChris Salmon for sharing his storyOllie Campbell for letting me share his song Mon The Burryman
Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for more information about everyone above and the episode in general
Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat DoigTheme music is by Tess Savigear

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: weirdinthewade@gmail.com
 
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

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

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 weirdinthewade@gmail.com
Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat DoigTheme music is by Tess Savigear

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

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
  

Part Two: The Witches of Bedfordshire

In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch.
The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the satanic panic.
Nat ponders whether we have moved far enough away from the causes and motivations of the 17th century witch trials. But ends the episode with a delightful piece of witch related folklore.
This episode contains some descriptions of cruelty to animals but Nat gives you a heads up before those sections. 
You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog
Follow the podcast on social media via linktree
Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon. 
Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig
Theme music and the track Waking Up are by Tess Savigear
All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. 
 
 

Part One: The Witches of Bedfordshire

In this episode Nat takes you on a journey, exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from medieval times up until the late 18th century. Kicking off with a ghost story about a witch. 
This episode moves from what is possibly Bedfordshire's earliest record of witchcraft, to the witch trials of the 17th century and beyond. It seems even when persecuting witches was outlawed in 1735, the people of Bedfordshire persisted in attempting to punish those who they thought dabbled in magical harm.
Part Two which is available now, which follows up from the 19th century to modern day.
In this episode Dr Francis Young, provides his insight into 16th century religious and political matters.
Tess Savigear voices an account of the "Dunstable witch," Elizabeth Pratt.
Owen Staton voices an account of the "witch of Oakley."
Matt Savigear voices the curious case of a husband and wife accused of witchcraft in Silsoe. 
You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog
Follow the podcast on social media via linktree
Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon. 
Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig
Theme music and the tracks, Waking Up and The Ladies Sutton are by Tess Savigear
Oboe on The Ladies Sutton is played by Charlotte Pascoe 
All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. 
 
 

25 Old Ragbones: Biggleswade's Unidentified Man

As the missing person's charity, Locate International launch a fresh appeal into "Biggleswade Man" Nat takes a closer look at this missing persons, and unidentified body case.
Even if you don't live in Biggleswade you could hold the key to solving this 28 year mystery. 
In February 1997 some schoolboys playing truant discovered the body of a homeless man. They recognised this man as "Old Ragbones," an itinerate tool sharpener. 
Old Ragbones attracted rumours in life and even more so in death. After 28 years he has still not been identified. Someone must know who he is. Somewhere a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend, even a colleague misses him and wonders what became of him. He may have had links to London and further afield. Listen to this fascinating episode and please share it with others. Do you hold the key to this man's identity? 
You can find more information and see images of our mystery man on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog 
Or visit Locate International's appeal: https://locate.international/appeals/biggleswade-man
Thanks go out to the people of Biggleswade who shared information with me about their memories of this mysterious man. Especially Craig, Roy and Angela who shared statements with me. 
Voice acting in this episode is from Owen Staton and Paul Gledhill. 
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. 

Where's Weird in the Wade?

Just a quick update to let you know where your Weird in the Wade episode is? Don't worry new episodes are on their way. You won't have to wait long.
Listen to find out why the Witches of Bedfordshire episodes will be a little late. There's also exciting news about an appeal to find a missing man who's body was discovered in Biggleswade 28 years ago. He has never been identified. Coming in the next few days is an episode about this tragic mystery. Can you help identify Old Ragbones, as he was known to the local children, Biggleswade's Mystery Man? No matter where you are in the world, you could hold the key to solving this mystery.