The Suffolk History Podcast

🎙️ Spies, Radar, and Seals: The Secrets of Cobra Mist

What hid behind the Iron Curtain? 🕵️‍♂️ This week on the Suffolk History Podcast, host Ralph Cochrane [www.ralphcochrane.com] gets exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to one of the most secretive and expensive installations of the Cold War: Cobra Mist. Deep on the remote shingle spit of Orford Ness lies a vast, windowless concrete fortress. Built by the Americans and the CIA in the late 1960s at a cost of over $1 billion in today’s money, this over-the-horizon radar base was designed to bounce a mind-boggling 20-megawatt signal off the ionosphere to spy deep into Soviet territory. Join local custodians Mike Finney and Mark Thacker as we step inside the massive Faraday cage, unpack the mysterious "noise" that abruptly killed the project, and discover how this site evolved from high-tech spy craft to a BBC World Service transmitter—and now, the home of Radio Caroline. We also look at the shifting nature of Orford Ness, from the tragic loss of the iconic Orford Lighthouse to coastal erosion, to the incredible wild ecosystem that has reclaimed it, including a massive grey seal colony. * 00:00 – Intro: The Secret CIA Base on Orford Ness * 00:48 – Welcome to the Suffolk History Podcast * 01:15 – Mike Finney: How Cobra Mist Bounced Signals Over the Horizon * 02:22 – Mark Thacker: Growing Up with Big American Cars in Orford Village * 04:00 – Why Orford Ness? The Science of Radar Paths * 05:30 – Inside the Vaults: Project Aspidistra & Nazi Propaganda Countering * 07:01 – Exploring the Storerooms & Keeping Radio Caroline Alive * 09:09 – The "Brinkley Stick": High-Voltage Safety Secrets * 10:15 – The Faraday Cage Architecture Explined * 11:38 – The Mystery Noise: Was Cobra Mist Jammed by the Soviets? * 13:18 – The Soviet Counterpart: The Chernobyl "Duga" Woodpecker Radar * 14:42 – Atomic Secrets: The Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE) * 15:57 – Coastal Erosion & Demolishing the Orford Lighthouse * 17:10 – Reclaimed by Nature: The Sudden 400-Pup Shingle Seal Colony * 18:22 – Outro: What Orford Ness Means Today We want to hear from you! Use the Spotify App features below to join the conversation: * Our Poll: Do you think the mysterious "noise" was clever Soviet jamming, or just a massive engineering oversight? * Q&A: Have you ever visited the wilderness of Orford Ness? Share your experiences with us! * Watch on YouTube: Orford Museum Channel [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.youtube.com/%40orfordmuseum] * Support Our Work: Orford Museum Official Site [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.orfordmuseum.org.uk]

Love & Royalty at Butley Priory

What do the Arctic Monkeys, Queen Mary of France and a founding father of the BBC all share in common? Butley Priory. Uncover the incredible 900-year history of Butley Priory in Suffolk as well as a link to famous TV programmes like The Detectorists. Join us as we talk to the current custodians Clare & Edward as they guide you through the beautifully restored Priory gatehouse and share captivating stories of its past, from its founding in 1171 to its current use as a stunning wedding and event venue. What you will discover in this video:Royal Intrigue: Hear the dramatic story of Henry VIII's sister, Princess Mary, Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk, who frequently visited and loved the peaceful Priory, and her secret marriage to the Duke of Suffolk. Historical Finds: Learn about the exquisite medieval ruby ring possibly belonging to Princess Mary, and the recent discovery of a Bronze Age hoard and Roman artefacts on the grounds.The Priory Chronicle: Find out about the lost and recovered Butley Priory Chronicle, kept in the Bodlean Library in Oxford, which details everything from local farming and floods to affairs of state and the sad story of a prior who committed suicide in 1508. Architectural Marvels: Explore the gatehouse, including the medieval garderobe (lavatory) and the Great Hall, which features fascinating medieval anti-witchcraft graffiti and the stunning 35 heraldic shields on the north face. World War II History: Discover the impact of WWII, including the nearby villages cleared for D-Day training and the German landmine that nearly destroyed the Gatehouse in 1943. Modern Celebrity: Learn which famous band—the Arctic Monkeys—recorded their album The Car here and other famous visitors like Florence and the Machine. This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in Suffolk history, medieval architecture, Tudor royalty, and the work of the Orford Museum.🎬 More from Orford MuseumSon et Lumière: Learn about the spectacular sound and light show held at the Priory and the upcoming show at Orford Castle on the 16th of August 2026. Orford Museum History Festival: Find out how to attend the popular festival in February with history talks. https://orfordmuseum.org.uk/events/Membership: Discover how a family membership supports local heritage and includes free entry to Orford Castle. https://orfordmuseum.org.uk/friends-o...Produced by event.video. Presenter: Ralph Cochrane00:00 Introduction to Suffolk History Podcast00:50 The Origins of Butley Priory01:56 The Rise of Butley Priory02:53 Famous Visitors and Modern Uses04:14 Historical Anecdotes and Discoveries08:44 The Great Hall and Architectural Details11:12 World War II and Later Restorations14:30 Medieval Graffiti and Stonework16:42 The Butley Priory Chronicle21:46 Events and Activities at Butley Priory25:04 Orford Castle and Historical Narratives31:01 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Endangered - The Suffolk Punch Horse

The Suffolk Punch is an iconic "heavy" horse, best known for being the Ipswich Town Football Club mascot, but did you know it's on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust endangered list? Ralph Cochrane talks to Nigel Oakley and Clare Greenwell about this special Suffolk breed and Nigel's work to preserve them as well as his memories of this magnificent horse working the land on the Suffolk Coast.