Wyrd Wessex

Epizode

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  Gef the Talking Mongoose: The Eighth Wonder of the World 19.08.2026 1h 13min

  In 1931, deep in the isolated windswept hills of Doarlish Cashen on the Isle of Man, the Irving family found themselves sharing their farmhouse with something completely unexplainable. It wasn't a standard ghostly whisper—it was a screeching, high-pitched voice two octaves above human range reading the daily news from inside the wall panelling, hunting over 200 rabbits for dinner, and casually dropping threats like "I could kill you all, but I won't!"Join Wyrdo's Craig and Andy as they dive into the utterly bizarre, hilarious, and deeply unsettling tale of Gef, the self-proclaimed "extra, extra clever mongoose" and earthbound spirit. We follow the paper trail from Captain McDonald's chaotic psychical investigations to celebrity ghost hunter Harry Price, and the bizarre 1930s high-court slander trial that nearly bankrupted a high-society figure over a talking fairy spook.Was Gef a deliberate hoax, a teenage poltergeist manifestation, a local Fae, or—as some modern remote viewers suggest—a million-year-old artificial intelligence breaking out of a Bronze Age tomb? Stick around until the very end to hear us completely lose our minds (and our voices) trying to recreate Gef in the studio.Stay Wyrd!Support the Show:Join our Discord: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexShop our merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Damh the Bard Welsh Myth, Modern Druidry, and the River of Awen 12.08.2026 1h 35min

  For centuries, the old ways of these islands weren’t written down—they were carried in song, poetry, and myth. Today, that tradition is alive and well. In this episode, we sit down with David Smith, better known as Damh the Bard (and yes, we explain how to pronounce it!). From his 15 years as Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD) to weaving Welsh myth into acoustic folk, Damh has been a defining voice of modern nature spirituality for decades.We trace his journey from teenage tarot reader and heavy metal drummer to finding his spiritual home among the Druids. Along the way, we uncover the fascinating shared history of modern Wicca and OBOD, how a naturist resort in St. Albans became ground zero for the modern Wheel of the Year, and why Damh traded his career running a woodland bushcraft school to follow the flow of Awen.Plus, we cover everything from the hilarious origin of his festival inflatable bananas to the Loch Ness Monster, cryptids, and a deep philosophical chat about digital footprints and what podcasting leaves behind.In this episode:What's in a Name: How a Gaelic pronunciation guide and Robin of Sherwood's Herne the Hunter inspired the moniker "Damh the Bard" (Stag the Bard).The Three Schools of OBOD: Breaking down the distinct paths of Druidry. Bards handle creativity and this world, Druids focus on teaching and community (the sky), and Ovates—the Druid shamans/witches—work with the underworld, the moon, and healing.The River of Awen: Damh’s philosophy on songwriting, magic, and Wyrd—treating divine inspiration as a river that flows through us, and why "if you do magic, don't be surprised when it works."Punk Rock Podcasting: A look back at the wild west of early podcasting in 2007 when Damh pitched Druidcast to OBOD, and why preserving the digital voices of pagan elders like Maxine Sanders and Margot Adler is so vital.The Banana Phenomenon: How a series of pandemic-era Facebook Live shows turned into fans asking Damh to autograph foam bananas at live festivals across the globe!New Music Announcement: Damh shares details on his compilation album, Songs from the Mabinogi.Stay Wyrd!Support the Show:Join our Discord: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexShop our merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Shadows in the Nave |The Wyrdo Book Club 07.08.2026 23min

  Is it safe to spend the night in England’s most haunted churches? And more importantly... why didn't they include any in Wiltshire? 👇 Expand for the full book review!Before we launch into our massive Harry Price series, it's time to settle in with a pot of tea and some Jaffa cakes for the Weirdo Book Club! This month, Craig is joined by Discord community member Rosie to review Shadows in the Nave: A Guide to the Haunted Churches of England by Eddie Brazil, Paul Adams, and legendary ghost hunter Peter Underwood.Did this guide to the country's spookiest chapels deliver the chills, or was it a bit too dry? We discuss the strange legends of spectral horses, the drowned coastal village of Dunwich where phantom church bells still ring beneath the waves, and the bizarre Thetford ghost sightings captured by original 90s ghost hunters.Plus, we hand out our official "Green Men" rating and reveal our incredibly dark, death-focused reading choice for our upcoming summer-ween book club!Sometimes Wyrd is Better...Join the Conversation:Did you read along with us? Let us know your thoughts on the book in the comments below! If you want to jump into our next recording or share your "ideal reading spot," head over to our Discord.Support the Show:Buy Us A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexGrab Official Merch: redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shopHosted and edited by Craig BrooksIntro & Outro Music: Medieval Celtic violin by Music_for_Creators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Stoned Dogs and Rogue Elephants |AfterWyrd 05.08.2026 49min

  In this episode of AfterWyrd, Craig and Andy break down the week's strangest stories. Featuring a special check-in with stone carver Toby to dismantle some dubious academic claims about historical protection marks, alongside tales of high-altitude hounds, profound out-of-body encounters, a tracking-collared rogue elephant in Nepal, and Count Binface's hilarious local election manifesto for Clacton.Segment BreakdownWitch Marks vs. Mason's Marks with Toby the Stone CarverFollowing up on last week's exploration of historic protection marks, Craig and Andy catch up with stone carver Toby. The trio dissect a recent academic paper attempting to reclassify witch marks as mere "mason's marks" or training exercises, explaining why the theory falls apart when looking at rural vernacular architecture, taper burn marks on inglenook beams, and the practical realities of historical stonemasonry and carpentry.The Ben Nevis Cannabis CanineThe hosts turn to some bizarre modern news involving Tokyo, a black Labrador who had to be rescued halfway up Ben Nevis after suffering a suspected cannabis ingestion—a mix of mountain rescue heroics and inadvertent canine relaxation.Near-Death and Shared Spirit ExperiencesShifting into the supernatural, Craig and Andy examine the chilling account of Jeffrey Olsen, who survived a devastating 1997 car crash that claimed the lives of his wife and son, exploring out-of-body phenomena and medical professionals corroborating impossible spiritual sightings.Dhrub: The Infamous Rogue Elephant of NepalThe hosts look at an extraordinary and harrowing piece of wildlife news: Dhrub, a notorious rogue elephant linked to dozens of human fatalities since 2010, equipped with multiple tracking collars and returning predictably to the same villages year after year.Passing of a UFO Pioneer and Count Binface's Clacton ManifestoCraig and Andy briefly note the passing of Paul Andrews, founder of the famous Contact in the Desert UFO convention, before pivoting to examine Count Binface's satirical by-election manifesto for Clacton featuring bus fare caps, 99p ice creams, and a referendum on Pluto's planetary status.Don't blame the Owls!Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro music by: Universfield Dark 80s Sci-Fi Atmosphere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ridgeway Ghosts & UFO Sightings 29.07.2026 1h 8min

  In this episode, Craig and Andy head to Oxfordshire's ancient Ridgeway to explore one of England's most haunted landscapes—from Farringdon churchyard where a headless ghost still patrols, to the Uffington White Horse that inspired Tolkien, and finally Wayland's Smithy, where an invisible blacksmith once shoed horses for pennies.What starts as a folklore walk quickly turns into something stranger, as we're joined by local carver Toby to share unsettling firsthand accounts of small brown figures spotted in the tree line, objects thrown at tents, and sounds with no visible source.We dig into the true story of Hampden Pye, a 17th-century aristocrat murdered during a naval engagement and cursed to haunt his memorial service as a headless spectre.We examine the Bronze Age origins of the White Horse and the ritual mutilations discovered at Childley Warren, before ending at the Neolithic barrow of Wayland's Smithy—where Saxons believed a demigod blacksmith still worked the night. Plus, we investigate a 1978 UFO sighting from Stanford-in-the-Vale that doesn't quite add up on paper.In This EpisodeThe Headless Ghost of Farringdon: Hampton Pie's tragic love affair, murder by treachery, and decades-long haunting of All Saints Church before a Victorian vicar laid him to rest.The Uffington White Horse: Britain's oldest hill figure (1380–550 BC), its WWII camouflage, and why you can't see it properly when standing right on top.Dragon Hill & St. George: The bare chalk patch where a dragon's blood supposedly poisoned the earth forever—and Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" connection.Wayland's Smithy: A Neolithic long barrow home to the invisible Saxon demigod blacksmith who offered roadside horse-shoeing services until the 19th century.The Little Brown Figures: Guest Toby shares two separate accounts from different decades of diminutive brown figures appearing in the tree line around Wayland's Smithy at night—with objects thrown at tents and no witnesses.Stanford-in-the-Vale UFO: A 1978 alleged close encounter with missing time, though the travel timeline raises questions.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Smalls Lighthouse Incident 24.07.2026 8min

  Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this episode, Andy and Craig travel out to the treacherous, wave-lashed waters twenty miles west of the Marloes Peninsula to uncover the grim and haunting history of the Smalls Lighthouse. Back in the autumn of 18th-century Britain, this wasn't the sturdy stone tower people picture today, but a bizarre, claustrophobic wooden cage balanced precariously on nine oak pillars—allowing the violent Atlantic swells to rush right through beneath the keepers' feet.Stationed out on this isolated post were Thomas Griffiths and Joseph Harry, two men whose forced confinement spiralled into a psychological nightmare. What happened inside that tiny wooden room left one man dead, the other irrevocably changed, and gave birth to a dark maritime legend that would eventually echo all the way to modern cinema. Step inside the cage with us as we unpack a true chapter of coastal horror that changed lighthouse regulations forever.Support the show and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by Craig BrooksHosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksMain theme: NRA-LAB Intro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Strange Days at the Barge (High Strangeness and Folk Horror) 22.07.2026 1h 4min

  In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we sit down with Matt, the director of Area 51, to peel back the layers of one of the UK’s most unique gatherings: The Strange Days Festival. Hosted at the legendary Barge Inn in Honey Street, this weekend-long celebration on the Kennet and Avon Canal has become a vital hub for the Fortean community.Matt takes us behind the scenes of creating immersive, "shit-scary" experiences—from his work designing elaborate Halloween scare mazes like Witchfinder to the eclectic, "psychedelic space rock" atmosphere of the festival itself. We discuss the fine line between believers and skeptics, the fascinating history of Forteana, and why the Barge is the perfect, uncanny setting for healthy debate and storytelling.Join us as we explore the lineup for this year’s festival, discuss the "Sandown Clown" mystery, and dive into the peculiar crossover between folk horror and modern UFO encounters.Links:Strange Days Festival: strange days festival.co.ukFollow the Barge: https://www.facebook.com/thebargehoneystreet/?locale=en_GBStay Wyrd!Support the Show:Join our Discord: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexShop our merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Quantum Disappearances, Skinwalker Anomalies and the "Witch Mark" Debate| AfterWyrd 17.07.2026 42min

  Welcome back to AfterWyrd where we dive into the anomalies, the unexplained, and the unsettling stories that were just too "Wyrd" for the main show.]This week, we confront the strange reality of modern science and ancient folklore. From the disturbing pattern of researchers vanishing after experiments involving quantum matter, to the "data rot" causing AI chatbots to hallucinate the same fictional man—Elias Thorne—we explore the boundaries of what we think we know. We also revisit the debate over "witch marks," challenging whether those iconic daisy wheels and hexafoils are truly ritual protection, or merely the practical geometry of bored medieval stonemasons.The conversation takes a darker turn as we move to the clinical and the paranormal: dissecting the electromagnetic glitches at Skinwalker Ranch and the terrifying "mind games" of the devil as documented by modern exorcists. The Wyrd News:The Quantum Disappearances: We look into the disturbing trend of researchers vanishing after experiments involving quantum state research. Is this a statistical anomaly, or is there a darker, more persistent thread connecting these cases?Elias Thorne & The AI Glitch: Why are the world’s most advanced AI models obsessed with the same fictional lighthouse keeper? We explore why our digital intelligence is running out of original ideas and stuck in a loop of its own making.Witch Marks vs. Geometry: Following our talk with Toby the Stone Carver, we analyse new research suggesting that iconic "witch marks" might just be the practical practice sketches of medieval stonemasons—and debate if that explanation is simply too convenient.Skinwalker Ranch & Exorcisms: From the physicist who used magnets to replicate the ranch’s electronic glitches to the priests who claim the "mind of the devil" is a tangible, terrifying presence, we examine the fine line between the clinical and the paranormal.The Semen-Injection Incident: A bizarre, clinical look at a medical case study involving a DIY "remedy" that serves as a grim reminder of what happens when human curiosity ignores all medical logic.Don't blame the Owls!Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro music by: Universfield Dark 80s Sci-Fi Atmosphere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Live from Solskin festival 15.07.2026 1h 34min

  Join Craig as he leaves the comfort of the studio behind for a special live recording from the stunning Peak District. Amidst the magic and folklore swirling around the festival grounds, this episode captures the raw energy of Solskin, featuring intimate conversations on shamanism, Celtic mythology, and the supernatural. Between teaching butchery and cooking over open fires, Craig sat down with fascinating guests to explore the deeper currents of myth and spirit that define the event.First up, we speak with Faber Horbach from Sowulo about his spiritual musical practice. Known for blending Anglo-Saxon lyrics with modern orchestration and historical instruments, Faber delves into the cyclical nature of the sun, the roots of shamanism, and how drumming acts as a gateway to non-ordinary reality. He shares insights on creating meaningful music for the present moment using old ingredients, and why authenticity resonates more deeply than high-budget production.Next, we catch up with storyteller Jason Buck to discuss his latest production, Sláine: the Horned God. Adapted from Pat Mills’ celebrated 2000 AD graphic novel, Jason breaks down the journey of bringing ancient Celtic myths to the stage for a 21st-century audience. We talk about the "warp spasm," the hero Cú Chulainn, and the challenge of translating hand-painted comics into immersive storytelling without needing to get lost in costume.Then, we delve into the strange and wonderful work of Snooze from Portable Weirdness. Describing herself as a "taxi for dead guys," Snooze uses animal remains to create craftwork and spiritual tools. She offers expert analysis on a listener’s terrifying lifelong night visitations, decodes the runes carved into a cow bone talisman, and discusses the concept of spirit animals in preparation for the festival's big animal mask ball. Finally, while getting a tattoo from Hamish (Pictavia leather) Craig shares a captivating account of a 1950s Pictish time slip, exploring archaeological evidence, warrior tattoos, and the possibility of glimpsing history across time.Whether you’re here for pagan music, bone work, ghost stories, or the mystery of the Horned God, this episode brings the essence of the festival straight to your screen.Stay Wyrd!Support the Show:Join our Discord: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexShop our merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig BrooksEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Endless Tale |WyrdLore 12.07.2026 5min

  Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this episode, Andy and Craig tackle the classic global folk motif known as "The Endless Tale." We meet a powerful king who offers his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage to any suitor who can tell a story that never ends—though the penalty for failing to entertain is an immediate, rather harsh decapitation.When a clever poor man steps up to the challenge, he unleashes the ultimate narrative filibuster involving a massive barn, a sky-high supply of corn, and a relentless swarm of singular locusts. As Craig dives into the repetitive rhythm of the legend, Andy finds himself caught in a psychological war of attrition that threatens to trap the entire studio in a permanent loop.Support the show and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by Craig BrooksHosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksMain theme: NRA-LAB Intro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Mexican Batman and the Solstice Stone Circle Mystery Did CERN Fracture the Timeline? 08.07.2026 35min

  Welcome to AfterWyrd, the show where we sort through the odd little bits, strange stories, and global eccentricities that don’t quite make the main episodes. Fresh off a grueling vocal session that has left our voices in absolute tatters from doing silly accents, Craig and Andy reunite to break down a massive backlog of unhinged headlines. We dive straight into the tragic breaking news out of Derbyshire surrounding the brutal summer solstice murder of Isaac Clare-Watts at the ancient Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District. Then, we head over to Jalisco to track the "Batman of Lagos de Moreno"—a mysterious masked vigilante duct-taping motorcycle thieves to lampposts and drawing cat whiskers on their faces. Andy shares his weekend dodging street preachers at the Boscombe Witches Market with a pagan-friendly Jesus, while Craig recounts nearly getting shot by a farmer in a man-made crop circle. Plus, we explore the psychology behind why our brains see ghosts, a wild 37-year-old adult adoption scam in Brazil, and the brewing online theory that a rogue weasel at the CERN Large Hadron Collider permanently fractured our reality's timeline. Don't blame the owls!Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro music by: Universfield Dark 80s Sci-Fi Atmosphere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Mowing Devil: A History of Flattened Fields & Wiltshire’s Enduring Mystery | Wyrd Wessex 08.07.2026 31min

  The 2026 season has brought new formations to the Wiltshire landscape, but the mystery of the "crop circle" didn't start in the 1980s. Long before the modern era of drones and sophisticated land art, people were finding strange, circular depressions in their fields—and they were blaming everything from cyclonic winds to the Devil himself.In this episode, Craig explores the long, bizarre history of flattened grain. Tracing the lineage of the phenomenon, starting with the 1678 "Mowing Devil" pamphlet in Hertfordshire and moving through the "nest" sightings of the 1950s, all the way to the complex, mathematical formations that have come to define Wiltshire. Is there a hidden continuity to these reports, or are we just projecting our own modern anxieties onto the landscape?In This Episode:The Mowing Devil: Re-examining the 1678 account—was it folklore, an early report of a whirlwind, or the seed of a centuries-old legend?From "Nests" to Circles: How the 1950s UFO sightings in Australia and France turned "flattened vegetation" into a definitive link to the extraterrestrial.The 1976 Turning Point: How two friends at a Hampshire pub—Doug Bower and Dave Chorley—accidentally kicked off the modern "crop circle" era as a prank.The Mathematical Leap: Looking at the post-hoax era, where formations grew in complexity, leading to the massive 2001 Milk Hill anomaly.The "Wyrd" Persistence: Why these formations persist in our collective imagination, even when we have a clear, human explanation for their creation.A Wiltshire Perspective: Exploring why this specific corner of England remains the global epicenter for the phenomenon, regardless of origin.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on, get ad free episodes and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks Edited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Art, Witch Marks, and West Country Lore (The Weird Wessex Showcase) 30.06.2026 1h 25min

  In this episode, Craig and Andy head to the ancient, iconic landscape of the Avebury Stone Circle for the "Weird Wessex" showcase—a gathering of local artists, musicians, and storytellers celebrating the high strangeness of the West Country. What starts as a stroll through the stones quickly turns into a deep dive into the living, breathing folklore of the region, packed with everything from medieval mysteries to silent UFOs.First, we chat with some of the festival's more eccentric living folklore characters, including the forest-dwelling Apple Man and the Cerbo Dog (a self-proclaimed son of Cerberus). Then, we catch up with traditional stonemason Toby Robson to talk about the hidden history of apotropaic "witch marks" on historic buildings, before he drops a fascinating, first-hand account of a silent, diamond-shaped craft he witnessed gliding over Devizes.Moving over to St. James's Church, event co-organiser and carver Wolfie gives us a masterclass in reading sacred spaces as he shares his deep research into replicating the mysterious, headless figure on the 12th-century Avebury font. We're also joined by muralist Bos, who details the dark, thunderous Dartmoor lore behind his painting of the 1638 Widecombe-in-the-Moor Devil attack, and storyteller Oliver Lavery (The Folk Bus), who helps us bridge the gap between ancient fairy abductions at Hackpen Hill and modern Ufology.We wrap things up with a well-earned debrief at The Barge at Honey Street, reflecting on how crop circles, stone carvings, and local legends all connect into one massive matrix of weirdness.In This EpisodeThe Witch Marks of Wessex: Stonemason Toby Robson explains the folklore of apotropaic markings, portal protection, and why people used to scrape consecrated dust from church walls for folk magic.The Silent Diamond over Devizes: Toby shares his unexplained encounter with a silent, multi-coloured, diamond-shaped aerial object that defied military aviation logic.The Avebury Font Detective: Wolfie breaks down the iconography of the church's medieval font and his theory that the missing figure is actually St. James of Jerusalem.The Devil of Widecombe: Bos brings the eerie history of Dartmoor to life, recounting the legendary 1638 lightning strike blamed on a demonic visitation, and a strange Hollywood connection to the "ghost village."Fairies vs. Grays: Storyteller Oliver Lavery explores the shared archetypal DNA between the historic fairies of Hackpen Hill and modern alien abduction lore."I don't think it's for me to say if anyone's wrong or right... I love the secrecy of it all. And your opinions are just as valid as mine."Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Queer as Folklore (The Wyrdo Book Club) 26.06.2026 13min

  Welcome to another instalment of the Wyrd Wessex Book Club! This month, we’re peeling back the layers of mythology and identity as we dive into Queer as Folklore by Sasha Coward.We’ve been an "extended book club" for a long time here, but it’s been a joy to formalise these monthly gatherings with our Discord members Rosie and Terrie. This month’s pick was recommended by Rosie, and it’s safe to say it gave us all plenty to talk about. Sasha Coward’s work isn’t just a look at ancient texts—it’s a manual for reclaiming our space in history and understanding why the "strange" has always acted as a sanctuary for the outsider.In this episode, we chat about:Reclaiming the Monster: Why symbols like the X-Men or The Little Mermaid (and the legendary drag queen Divine!) are more than just stories—they’re ancestral threads for the queer community.The "Armor" of the Outsider: We share how many of us used "fake lore"—from gothic gear to devil horns—as literal armor to navigate the world.The Perspective Shift: How even for those of us who grew up on classic folklore, this book added an entirely new layer of meaning to the myths we thought we knew.Our Rating: Did it live up to the hype? Spoiler: The Green Men were out in full force for this one.Next Month’s Read:We’re shifting gears for July. We’ll be tackling Shadows in the Nave by Peter Underwood/Paul Adams/Eddie Brazil. It’s beautifully broken down into short, visual sections—perfect for our summer reading.Join the Conversation:Did you read along with us? Let us know your favourite chapter or your thoughts on the book in the comments below! If you want to jump into our next recording or share your "ideal reading spot," head over to our Discord.Support the Show:Buy Us A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexGrab Official Merch: redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shopHosted and edited by Craig BrooksIntro & Outro Music: Medieval Celtic violin by Music_for_Creators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Queer Folklore: How Outsiders Find Sanctuary in Myths (Sasha Coward) 24.06.2026 1h 20min

  What happens when you don't fit into the "neat and orderly" versions of history taught in schools? You go underground. You find your truth in the stories, the monsters, and the high strangeness that society tries to ignore.In this episode, Craig sits down with historian and author Sasha Coward (Queer as Folklore) to map out the hidden, queer roots of our favourite myths. We’re exploring how the marginalised and the neurodiverse have used folklore as a sanctuary for centuries—and why those "weird" stories have always acted as a beacon for the outsider.In this episode, we cover:The Sanctuary of the Strange: From Victorian seances (and their surprisingly erotic loopholes) to the 90s goth subculture, we look at how the supernatural has provided a safe harbour for queer identity.Reclaiming the Monster: Why we aren't just "borrowing" myths like mermaids, unicorns, or werewolves—we helped create them.The Neurodiverse Connection: Why the "slanted" mind and the "wyrd" have always travelled together.Mothman & Florida Man: Craig mounts a spirited defence of the misunderstood Mothman, and we break down the tactical logistics of praising God from a highway sunroof at 70mph.Folklore isn't just a collection of dusty old stories; it’s a map of our true ancestral roots. Whether you're an outsider, a believer, or just someone looking for a bit of high strangeness, this conversation is for you.Follow Sasha Coward: Check out his book Queer as Folklore www.sachacoward.com https://www.instagram.com/sachacoward/A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO OUR BUY ME A COFFEE MEMBERS:Tenner, Dan, Vicky, Steph, Gabby, Andrew, John, Rosie, Nick, Simon, and Terry! Your support helps us keep the show going. Want to join our supporters, get live recording links, and access our Discord channels? Head over to the link below.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig BrooksEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The dark secrets of Milton Keynes (Modern Folklore for a New City) 18.06.2026 1h 24min

  In this episode Craig and Andy head slightly north to explore the modern urban legends, liminal spaces, and paranormal hotspots of Milton Keynes. We are joined by paranormal researcher, writer, and photographer Dr. Steph Lay, who spent over two decades at the Open University before turning her analytical eye toward the city's haunted shadows.With a diploma in parapsychology and a PhD specialising in the "uncanny valley," Steph is on a mission to collect a ghost story for every single grid square in Milton Keynes. Is a city designed for the future actually a containment system for something ancient, or are these modern ghost stories evolving alongside the technology we use?Milton Keynes might lack the centuries of dust found in York or Nottingham, but as our conversation with Steph reveals, it is rapidly growing its own modern mythology. Whether it’s the persistent rumours of Cold War-era bunkers, digital ghosts caught on CCTV, or the synchronicity of ancient leys, the city proves that high strangeness is always closer than we think.In This EpisodeWhy a city known for being shiny and clean is actually a hotbed for paranormal activity. Steph shares her data-driven approach to mapping hauntings across the city's meticulously planned estates.We delve into the theory that the city’s modern infrastructure—from smart technology to fibre networks—is fracturing an ancient containment system buried beneath the soil.Did the original planners tune into the weird, hippie vibe of the 1960s to align the city’s Midsomer Boulevard with the summer solstice and local ley lines?We explore the chilling local folklore of "Deb's Close" in Stoney Stratford, where a modern home renovation allegedly disturbed a monstrous entity that terrorises residents every New Year's Eve.Steph explains the psychological roots of the "uncanny valley"—why near-human entities trigger our deepest danger responses—and how she uses that cognitive psychology expertise to investigate the supernatural."I’m absolutely fascinated by the idea that it might actually be quite haunted... I’m into mapping, I love data—so I thought, what if I could get a ghost story in every single one of these grid squares?"Explore the Revenants on the Redway Project and read Stephs ongoing collection of paranormal reports at cityofsecrets.blog.Stay Wyrd.Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by: Craig Brooks Hosted by: Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by: Craig BrooksIntro music: Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music: Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  UAP File Declassification (The Truth Behind the Footage) |Afterwyrd 12.06.2026 1h 2min

  Join Craig and special guest UAPaul as they tackle the latest batch of UAP file releases from the US Department of War. Is the government finally admitting we aren't alone, or are they just having a bit of a laugh at our expense with a retro-styled website that feels like a 90s conspiracy fever dream? We cut through the noise, the FLIR artifacts, and the "tic-tac" hype to get to the truth.Episode HighlightsThe "Invisible Frontline": We discuss the UK turning on its "Skynet" space defence system six months early. Is it a necessary shield against cosmic conflict, or more "a lie they want you to believe" territory?Decoding the Data Dump: Paul provides a technical breakdown of the US Department of War’s latest UAP website. Why does it look like an X-Files prop, and why is the image quality so suspiciously low?Flare or Phenomenon?: We examine the "star-shaped" objects and strange pulses. Is it advanced propulsion, or just military flares and camera stabilization struggling with high-speed movement?The USO Mystery: What’s going on under the water? We discuss Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) that seem to defy the physics of sea travel.The Propaganda Game: Are these releases a genuine attempt at disclosure, or is the government flooding the zone with easily debunked footage to discredit the entire UAP conversation?The "Bug on the Doorbell Cam" Theory: We contemplate the state of modern tech—why the best evidence might be the older, "pre-CGI" era clips.Join our Discord community to debate the footage and share your own sightings.Don't blame the owls!Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig BrooksEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro & Outro: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix by Antipodean Writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Mimics, Glitches and Shadowy Figures (Listener Stories) 10.06.2026 26min

  In this special episode, Craig and Andy gather to share a collection of eerie, fascinating, and downright creepy listener stories sent in by their brilliant Buy Me a Coffee members. After a few technical mishaps and some profanity in a church during the 100th episode, the Wyrdos are back to deliver the supernatural goods.The Listener Tales:Andrew's Childhood Shadow Figures: A genuinely chilling memory from a four-year-old’s perspective. Was it a waking sleep paralysis episode, or were his parents secretly moonlighting in a Dorset-based cult? A terrifying look at an occupied house filled with exploding lightbulbs, phantom candles that relight themselves, and a bizarre, unexplainable horse whinny. But nothing prepares the hosts for Rosie's encounter with a mimic—a chilling phenomenon that introduces the deeply unsettling reality of things pretending to be the people we love.Craig's Glitch in the Matrix: Craig shares a deeply unsettling personal experience from his own home involving a late-night goodnight kiss, a tent fort, and the terrifying realisation in the morning that his daughter Ocean hadn't been in the bed at all. The lingering question remains: What exactly did Craig kiss goodnight?Nick's Trilogy of Terror:A vanishing phantom cat that defies explanation.Creepy audio recordings from a local cemetery.A textbook hospital haunting featuring a friendly spirit and a perfectly timed fire door lockdown.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Seasonal Folklore: Spring (The Wyrdo Book Club) 07.06.2026 14min

  Welcome back, Wyrdos!You are tuning into the very first official Wyrdo Book Club! Craig flies solo for this one (while Andy presumably avoids the reading list) to dive into the enchanting world of Seasonal Folklore: Spring by recent guest of the show, Eileen Budd.We explore the quiet magic of snowdrops giving colour to the snow, the liminal spaces of early spring, and a gripping Gaelic tale. We are incredibly lucky to have a very special feature this week: a full guest retelling of The Ravens and the Travelling Storyteller directly from Eileen Budd herself, bringing the traditional folklore, ink-black cloaks, and flying steeds to life with perfect Gaelic pronunciation.We also lament the mysterious disappearance of several library staples into the local charity shop, debate the perfect locations in the world to read this book, and try out our brand-new "Green Men" rating system.Plus, a heads-up for next month's read! We will be diving into Queer as Folklore by Sacha Coward, so grab your copies now (and make sure they don't end up in the charity shop donation pile!).Stay Wyrd!📚 BOOKS MENTIONED:• 'Seasonal Folklore: Spring' by Eileen Budd• 'Vickery’s Folk Flora' by Roy Vickery• 'Adventures in Nature' by Dawn Nelson• 'Stories of the Sun' by Dawn Nelson• 'Queer as Folklore' by Sacha Coward (Next Month's Pick!)Hosted and edited by Craig BrooksIntro & Outro Music: Medieval Celtic violin by Music_for_Creators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  From Skeptics to the Fence (UAPs, Big Cats & Ghost Glitches) 03.06.2026 1h 7min

  To mark our landmark 100 and oneth episode, we decided to do things a bit differently. Trading the usual format for something more self-indulgent, we sat down in St Andrews Church in Rolleston—complete with some cake and a drop of whiskey—to look back at our journey, answer your listener questions, and contemplate the unknown.Here is a taste of what to expect as we reflect on a century of episodes:Our Origin Story: We share the slightly awkward story of how we first met and teamed up.Highlights and Favourites: With a massive back catalogue behind us, we reveal our top deep dives, the episodes that sat heaviest with us, and some of the most memorable guest moments we've had the pleasure of recording.From Skeptics to the Fence: We haven't always been open to the supernatural. We discuss the specific phenomena that finally pushed us off the fence, our personal theories on what ghosts might actually be, and the one cryptid we are convinced is roaming the British countryside.Looking Ahead: We share our candid thoughts on official UAP disclosure, outline our goals for future storytelling, and reveal the exact episode we would recommend to a new listener discovering the show 50 years from now.A Note on the Technicals: We ended up waffling for so long that our batteries died, our mics glitched, and we were essentially "cast out" of the church for Craig’s spirited language. We kept the best of the conversation for this episode, but have moved your Listener Stories to next week so they get the high-quality treatment they deserve! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.