2.4 In the Grotto - with Special Spooky Festive Story

This extra-length episode features a spooky winter story - fab! - which starts at 18.35 (if you want to dodge the nonsense beforehand). Why not gather the family for its 17 minutes of chilling delight...Meanwhile, my goddaughter Jasmine wants to visit Father Christmas, but this ambition is proving trickier than expected. As we tour one dodgy grotto after another, I worry for the state of the nation. Fortunately, the day is saved by some neighbourly delight ... only to be unsettled again by the unexpected intrusion of The Big Muddler. Talking of unwelcome arrivals, today's Listed Jokes plumb the depths of festive frivolity (email me via thebigmuddler(at)matthewcrampton.com for the gag that's too dark for broadcast). Matters get worse with two over-lubricated presenters on The Rest is Jollity. And worse still with Denzel Rumpo's Christmas Carol (of sorts). But today's main feature is the spooky old story New Boots for Willy McPhee, produced in full radio soundscape gory/glory. The earliest versions of this tale, called The Cow That Ate the Piper, appeared in 18th century Ireland. I first heard it from Hugh Lupton thirty years ago, and I also draw here on a fine telling by Bill Harley. Enjoy! It's a treat.Matthew Crampton put this show together. More about him at https://matthewcrampton.com/12-1_christmas_street_market.wav by 16gpizap -- https://freesound.org/s/499418/ -- License: Attribution 4.020061222.christmas.ambiance.03.flac by dobroide -- https://freesound.org/s/27689/ -- License: Attribution 4.0221214_2265_FR_BrassBandIndoor.wav by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/666731/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Creepy Ambient Music by Audio_Dread -- https://freesound.org/s/528320/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Z Finland birdsong.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/56165/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Wind medium to strong gusts in remote countryside (France) by michaelperfect -- https://freesound.org/s/578630/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Wooden door opening and closing by copyc4t -- https://freesound.org/s/799458/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Do get in touchSupport the show