The Haunting of Willington Mill

Mimics, Glitches and Shadowy Figures (Listener Stories)

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/wyrdwessex Buy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by Craig Brooks Intro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Seasonal Folklore: Spring (The Wyrdo Book Club)

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 Brooks Intro & Outro Music: Medieval Celtic violin by Music_for_Creators ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Skeptics to the Fence (UAPs, Big Cats & Ghost Glitches)

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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ghosts, Black Dogs, and Folktales in a 13th-Century Church (100th Episode Special)

For our 100th episode, we’re spending the night within the ancient, 13th-century walls of St. Andrew’s, Rollestone—a site once held by the legendary Knights Hospitaller. Surrounded by centuries of history and the heavy atmosphere of a building designed for spiritual warfare, we’re unpacking the folklore that has kept us "Wyrdo's" talking for 100 episodes. In this episode, we explore: A Night of Wyrd: We settle in for a night of stories in a 13th-century church, discussing why these spaces are more than just architecture—they are fortresses against the unseen. The Church Grim & The Spectral Hound: From the protective yet eerie Church Grim to the hell-hound Black Shuck and the shape-shifting Chien Noir, we delve into the folklore of the dogs that haunt our boundaries. The Warrior-Healers: We visit the legacy of the Knights Hospitaller at Rollestone, exploring their "medicine and military" might and how their presence shaped the landscape we’re currently sitting in. Pharmacy of the Pews: We look at the grim, desperate, and fascinating cures of the past—from church keys and hangman's hands to the bleeding Yew. The Drummer’s Warning: We recount the bleak and gothic legends of Salisbury Plain, including that ominous advice: if you must commit a murder in a thunderstorm, for heaven's sake, make sure the man isn't a drummer. Liminal Spaces: We discuss the porch as a threshold, the meaning of the "Devil’s Door," and the persistent legends of the "Woman in White." A Century of Stories: Reflecting on our journey through the weird and wonderful folklore of the West Country. Stay Wyrd. Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex [https://buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex] Buy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u [https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u] Written by: Craig Brooks Hosted by: Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by: Craig Brooks Intro music: Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music: Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Folk Rebels & Outlaws feat. Eileen Budd (Screaming Skulls & Land Rights)

What happens when you mix giant outlaws, eerie supernatural warnings, and communities fiercely defending their right to the land? This week on Wyrd Wessex, co-hosts Craig and Andy welcome back author and storyteller Eileen Budd to wrap up a massive, sprawling conversation that bridges the folklore of England and the Scottish Highlands. Instead of postcard myths, we're diving into the gritty, shared history of British land resistance. We look at how common folk on both sides of the border used everything from legal battles to straight-up defiance to push back against privatisation and oppressive laws. Along the way, we dig up the shadowy lore of the "Ootlings"—entities that exist completely outside the natural order—the chaotic history of midnight poachers outsmarting the Crown, and the terrifying reasons you should never, under any circumstances, move a Dorset screaming skull just to please a TV crew. Highlights of the Episode: The Call of the Cupboard: Eileen joins us live from her literal "story cupboard" under the stairs to discuss the struggle of writing about freezing winter snow while the summer sun is blazing outside. The Giant o' Legs: Andy defends the home turf of Hertfordshire with Jack o' Legs—a towering, cave-dwelling Robin Hood figure who has been immortalised by a local craft beer. The Cuckoo Calendar: Craig goes toe-to-toe on West Country bird lore, breaking down the dark secrets hidden inside the verses of the classic magpie rhyme. The Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe: Andy recounts the chilling curse of the Dorset screaming skull, including the infamous time an ITV crew allegedly triggered a minor earthquake by moving it on camera. The Rebellion of the Salmon: Eileen breaks down Scotland's hard-won Right to Roam along Jock's Road, before sharing a hilarious local tale about a legendary poacher who bit off way more than he could chew with a stick of dynamite. The Glaistig & The Lullaby: Eileen introduces us to the eerie world of the Glaistig—the shape-shifting "Ootlings" who exist outside the realms of sky, sea, and earth—and shares a beautiful traditional melody used to guide the dead home from the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Find out more about Eileen Budd, her books, and her seasonal folklore series: https://www.eileenbudd.co.uk Stay Wyrd! Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex [buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex] Buy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u [ https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u] Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by Craig Brooks Intro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.