Weird in the Wade

7. The Big Cat of Biggleswade and Phantom Felines

There have been several sightings of a big cat stalking the water meadows, heaths, and back gardens of Biggleswade in the last twenty years. And they're not your usual black panther type sightings; they're more intriguing. Of course, I just had to investigate.
In this episode I speak with an eye witness about the large and unusual cat they saw whilst walking their dog. We have another witness statement sent into the show, and I look at old newspaper stories. All in an attempt to work out what the Beast of Biggleswade really is.
And I share with you my theory...
I also speak with Owen Staton, of the Time Between Times podcast, about his brushes with big cats in Wales, from school lockdowns, to one incident he attended in his role as a police officer. We also discuss what makes these big cat sightings so compelling.
I finish the show with a couple of ghost stories which feature phantom felines. 
Special guest this week is Owen Staton of the Time between Times and Spectre of the Sea podcasts.
If you have a suggestion, feedback or question please email the show at weirdinthewade@gmail.com 
Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade 
Researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music by Tess Savigear
Cat meows and purrs by the pod-cat Kasumi
All additional sound effects and music from Epidemic Sound.

6. The Potton Poisoner: Part 3

In this final part of the story of Sarah Dazley, the Victorian poisoner, we follow the evidence shared at William Dazley's inquest and murder trial. We unpick tricky testimony and tangled timelines in an attempt to decide if Sarah really did it. There's gossip, pills and powders, a dead pig, and a teenage pregnancy all to uncover. 
We hear a new ghost story shared by a listener this time centred around the Chequers Inn at Wrestlingworth where the inquest was held. Does Sarah's restless spirit still haunt the pub?
And keep listening for a sneak preview of our next episode about big cats and phantom felines.
Have a suggestion, question or want to share a story? Please get in touch with Weird in the Wade at weirdinthewade@gmail.com 
Find the podcast on social media through the links on: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade
If you enjoy the show and are able to support us by buying Weird In the Wade a coffee you can do at: https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade
Weird in the Wade is researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Crowd voices by Savigear and McOwen
Theme music and the Potton Poisoner theme by Tess Savigear
All other music and additional sound effects by Epidemic Sound 

5. The Potton Poisoner: Part Two

This is the second part of a three part story about Sarah Dazley the Potton Poisoner. 
This episode opens with Sarah's arrest on the banks of the Thames in London and her appearance in front of the Lord Mayor. We'll hear a late night conversation between Sarah and the women guarding over her in a Biggleswade tavern. Find out why arsenic poisoning was such a problem in Victorian Britain. As well as exploring the details of the inquests into the deaths of her first husband and baby. It's an episode with twists and turns, delving into Victorian attitudes towards domestic abuse and violence, and their preoccupation with the nature of women. It sets up a final episode at the dramatic murder trial in Part Three.
This episode deals with murder, domestic violence, and the death of an infant. Please choose carefully where and how you listen. 
If you have any thoughts or suggestions please email the show at: weirdinthewade@gmail.com 
Find links to the podcast socials and website here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade
Weird in the Wade is researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music and the Potton Poisoner theme is by Tess Savigear
Additional crowd voices by Savigear and McOwen
All other music and sound effects are by Epidemic Sound
 

4. The Potton Poisoner: Part One

On Saturday 5th August 2023 it will be 180 years since the execution of Sarah Dazley the Potton Poisoner, she was hanged outside Bedford Gaol in front of 10,000 people.
The haunting of a pretty cottage ties to the story of the Potton Poisoner. A murder case that was a Victorian sensation. Scandalising a nation, and still fascinating true crime enthusiasts today. Should Sarah Dazley, dubbed the Potton Poisoner by Victorian press, be known as the UKs first recorded female serial killer? Or is she innocent? The story is murkier and more twisty than a penny dreadful or melodrama.
In Part One, of this three part story, I'll tell you the ghost story that links to Sarah Dazley, and all about the life of the poisoner and her victims. 
Please be advised that although this case is 180 years old it deals with the issues of murder, domestic abuse and infant death. Please choose carefully when and where you want to listen.
Got any thoughts or suggestions? Email the show at weirdinthewade@gmail.com
Find links to the podcast website and socials here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade
The podcast is researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music and the Potton Poisoner theme by Tess Savigear
Additional crowd voices by Savigear and McOwen
All other music and sound effects Epidemic Sound 
 

Bonus Episode: Updates, News and a New Spooky Story

A bonus episode with updates from previous episodes, a new spooky story that happened to Nat Doig earlier this year, and some news about changes to the podcast. There's also a new trailer for the next episode about the Potton Poisoner. 
If you haven't listened to all of our previous episode's here's some timings so you can avoid spoilers! 
Pound Stretcher update is at 3 minutes 45
Flying saucer update is at 8 minutes 15
Potton Wood Update is at 14 minutes 10
New Spooky story and trailer all spoiler safe from 20 minutes onwards
Contact the Podcast at weirdinthewade@gmail.com 
Find us on the socials https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade
Buy us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade
Weird in the Wade is researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Additional voice acting in crowd scene by Savigear and McOwen
Theme music and the Potton Poisoner theme by Tess Savigear 
All other music and additional sound effects Epidemic Sound  

3. What’s Haunting Potton Wood?

Can a WW2 plane crash explain the strange phenomena that have been reported in this quiet corner of English woodland over the last 70 years? How does the tale of a little hero dog tie in with the ghostly encounters? Why do so many visitors to the wood smell burning when there are no signs of fire near by?
This month's episode is a little different. We have a witness interview, field recordings from the woods, access to Luton Paranormal's research files and lots of history to explore as we try to find out what is haunting Potton Wood?
Our guest is author Paul Jameson find out about his books at modquokka.com 
Show notes, links, photographs and transcript can be found at weirdinthewade.blog
Follow the pod on Twitter and Insta at @weirdinthewade
If you're able please consider buying the pod a coffee at Ko-Fi.com/weirdinthewade
Researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music by Tess Savigear
Additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound 
 

Bonus Episode: Luton’s Noontide Hag

In 1848 a boy from Luton workhouse has a strange and horrifying encounter in church. His story is reported in the newspapers and there are links to Scotland, Sir Walter Scott and a pioneer of stage magic. Hear all about it in this bonus episode.
Get in touch with Weird in the Wade on Twitter and insta @weirdinthewade or through our blog. We'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like to support us you can buy us a coffee at Ko-fi or simply follow, like and review the pod as it helps other's find us. Thank you! 
Weird in the Wade is researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Our theme music is by Tess Savigear
Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound. 

2) Flying Saucers Over Biggleswade

It's the 1950s and for a few short weeks Biggleswade becomes the flying saucer capital of the world! A UFO hoax is uncovered, whilst two flying saucer sightings a year apart, remain to this day, a mystery. Find out how the hoax and the genuine UFO mystery are intertwined, meet a cast of characters including a working class engineering hero, and a woman investigating UFOs with her trusty Labrador. In the 1950s things were definitely weird in the wade. 
Thank you so much for listening!
Read the show notes and transcript at weirdinthewade.blog
Find us on Twitter and Insta @weirdinthewade
If you'd like to support the podcast, please follow, like and rate us. Also if you're able to, please consider buying Weird in the Wade a coffee at Ko-Fi  
This episode was researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music is by Tess Savigear
Additional sound effects and music by Epidemic Sound
And the owl hoot at the start of the episode is a sound clip from BigSoundBank.com 

Bonus Mini Episode: The Silsoe Grey Lady

In this bonus, mini episode, partly recorded on a dawn walk around Wrest Park, hear the ghost story of the grey lady of Silsoe in Bedfordshire. Birdsong will accompany you as we travel back in time and discover what haunts the George Inn and how the haunting is linked to the beautiful and stately Wrest Park.
Show notes and transcript at Weird in the Wade's blog 
Please consider supporting the podcast if you can by rating or reviewing this episode or buy me a Ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade
Follow us on social media on instagram and Twitter as @weirdinthewade 
Written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music by Tess Savigear
 

Bonus Episode: The Great Fire of Biggleswade, New Evidence.

A bonus episode about the 1785 Great Fire of Biggleswade. I've unearthed new evidence, which has lain unnoticed for 230 years. Does the established narrative including the cause of the fire need to be challenged? Make up your own mind after listening.
Find out about how the news was reported 230 years ago, how connected our country really was back then, and how history can turn on a six pence or on a dog's paw.
Researched, written and presented by Nat Doig
Theme music by Tess Savigear
Find the transcript and show notes at weirdinthewade.blog
We're on twitter and instagram as @weirdinthewade