Wyrd Wessex

Welcome to an episode of AfterWyrd that proves the truth is often stranger (and smellier) than fiction. After a month-long hiatus due to Andy’s "cough-splatter" lung-rot, the Wyrdos reunite to tackle a massive backlog of weirdness. We’re moving from the linguistic mysteries of the afterlife—discussing why Geordie ghosts don’t just sing "Fog on the Tyne" at you—to the high-stakes world of Finnish Air Force "cock and ball" flight patterns.We dive into the ethics of the digital age, from $1.99-a-minute video calls with AI Jesus to the "Black Mirror" reality of using AI clones to keep the deceased "alive" for grieving relatives. Things take a turn for the underground as we explore the newly discovered tunnel networks of Bloxham and the mysterious activity recorded at the York Dungeons. Finally, we look at the political-paranormal crossover of the year: Donald Trump’s promised UFO file dump and the skepticism of former AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick.The Wyrd News:Geordie Ghosts & Willington Mill: Following our look into the Willington Mill haunting via the Hallowell and Ritsons files, we ask: Do ghosts keep their accents? We discuss the terrifying prospect of a Nazi ghost and wonder why nobody has ever been haunted by a ghostly trilobite.The Trump UFO Files: They’re finally arriving. We discuss Trump’s promise to "spill the secrets" on everything from UAPs to JFK, and why some insiders claim it's just a "shiny object" to distract from the war with Iran.The Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society (BUTS): Tales of hidden tunnels in North Oxfordshire prove true. We discuss Dave Green’s discovery of a massive network featuring pre-medieval red deer skulls and potential Roman origins.York Dungeon Poltergeists vs. Slushy Machines: We review the CCTV footage of flying tumblers that has investigators from Project NCC stumped. Is it a restless spirit, or just the vibrations from a nearby slushy machine? Plus, Andy recounts a "scaredy-cat" ghost hunt at Woodchester Mansion involving a very tense trip to an outdoor toilet.The 24,000-Year-Old Zombie Worm: A microscopic rotifer is thawed from the Siberian permafrost after 24 millennia and immediately starts reproducing. We compare the discovery to the classic X-Files episode "Ice" and wonder if the Late Pleistocene is coming for us.Finnish Aviation Art & Operation Bearclaw: The "Rainbow Scissors" flight patterns that landed Finnish cadets in hot water, and the California insurance scam that proved a man in a bear suit is no match for a suspicious biologist.The Range "Deposit" & AI Salvation: From a shopper in Banbury choosing a shelf over a toilet to a King James-trained AI Jesus providing wisdom for a fee.Wyrdo Shout-outs:A massive thank you to our newest subscribers: Tena, Vicky, Steph, Gabby, Andrew, John, Rosie, Nick, Simon, and Terry. Most of you have your Green Man badges on the way!Stay Wyrd.Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro & Outro: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix by Antipodean Writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of WyrdLore, we follow the journey of naturalist Gavin Maxwell, a man of the "faithless generation" who moved to the remote West Highland coast armed with scientific detachment, only to have his scepticism shattered by the inexplicable.From the shadow of the Isle of Skye, we explore a world where the Wyrd is a neighbour—where witches walk as cats and the sound of a shipwreck can arrive days before the event itself. We detail the forty-eight hours of poltergeist activity that transformed Maxwell’s worldview and the "captive echoes" of King Haco’s Viking fleet still heard at the narrows of Kyleakin.Into the Wyrd:The Empirical Wall: How a flying jar of marmalade and a sliding stack of LPs broke a lifelong barrier of scepticism.The Viking Echo: The metallic clang of swords and the muttering of Old Norse voices at the lighthouse cottages—a "warlike party" frozen in time.Watchman, What of the Rowan Tree?: The significance of the guardian tree and the chilling "witch’s moon" night when poet Kathleen Raine placed a curse upon the bark.The Price of Fire: The tragic end of the sanctuary at Camusfeàrna and the burial of Edal the otter at the foot of the Rowan.Highland Entities: Identifying the presence—was it a Bòcan (the shapeshifting stalker), a "sour" Gruagach (the slighted house spirit), or the Frìth reacting to a malignant wish?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 BrooksMain theme: NRA-LAB IntroDon't open the WyrdLore! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1835, a hardworking Quaker named Joseph Proctor moved his family into a three-storey powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. It should have been a crowning achievement for a man of "the plain truth," but the ground itself had other plans. For eleven years, the Proctor family lived in a state of siege, trapped in a house that could throw its own voice, walk through nailed-shut doors, and watch the children through "eyeholes" that held no eyes.In this episode, the Wyrdos dig through the private, redacted journals of a man who tried to manage a supernatural catastrophe with a pen and ink. We aren't just looking at bumps in the night; we’re investigating how industrial progress collided with a "Wyrd" legacy that the locals had whispered about for centuries. From the "Willington Witch" to the physical displacement of furniture in a locked house, we explore the heavy price of living over a witch's hearth.Finally, we navigate the fallout of Britain’s most detailed industrial haunting. We look at the disastrous 1840 investigation of Dr Edward Drury, the "mimic" that stole the family’s own voices, and the chilling final night where the ghosts seemingly helped the Proctors pack their bags to leave.In this episode:The Plain Truth: We explore Joseph Proctor’s obsessive diary and why he felt the need to heavily redact his own experiences for forty years.Industrial Infrasound: Craig attempts to "debunk" the haunting with a theory about railway vibrations that hits a very spooky brick wall.The Eyeless Lady: The terrifying account of the nursemaid and the children who encountered a transparent visitor who "looked so hard" at them.Drury’s Folly: Why a skeptical doctor brought a brace of pistols to a ghost hunt and left the Mill a broken, trembling man.The Monkey in the Blue-Room: We break down the bizarre physical encounters with "funny cats" and a vanishing monkey that tickled the children’s feet.The Final Move: The cinematic and cruel "spiritualistic repetition" of the family's final night and the rumors that the haunting followed them to North Shields.It turns out the "Wicked Spirit" didn't want the Mill—it wanted the people inside it.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.

In this solo episode, Craig recovers from a 3:30 AM start to bring you the sights and sounds of Beltane at the top of the Cerne Abbas Giant. From the "Need-fire" rituals of the ancient world to the modern-day clatter of the Wessex Morris Men, we explore why this Dorset hillside remains the heartbeat of May Day in the West.We dig into the latest National Trust research that has redefined the Giant as a Saxon titan, discuss the Victorian "modifications" to his 11-metre phallus, and look at the folklore of the "Silver Well" at the bottom of the hill.Finally, Craig recounts a face-to-face encounter with the Dorset Ooser—a terrifying, sightless mask with a soul-penetrating stare that even the local dogs couldn't handle. We look into the mystery of the original mask’s disappearance in 1897 and why this "horned bogeyman" still haunts the fabric of Wessex.Stay WyrdHelp 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.

"That promise of wealth that just kind of vanishes whenever the fair folk are involved."Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus show dedicated to the strange tales and local legends that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show. In this session, Craig and Andy navigate the treacherous waters of British folklore, from the rugged cliffs of Cornwall to the silted ditches of Suffolk.We’re diving into Four Folklore stories that explore what happens when "the good neighbours" stop being neighbourly. We track the research of Robert Hunt, dive into 13th-century chronicles, and discuss the eerie evolution of spirits from protectors to child-snatching monsters.In this WyrdLore session:The Kidnapped Pixie of Zenna: A gritty Cornish brush with the little people. We discuss why testing the Fae is a recipe for a beating and the "recurring theme" of vanishing wealth.The Silent Guest of Orford: A 13th-century cryptid? We look at Ralph of Coggeshall’s account of a "Wild Man of the Sea" caught in a net who refused to speak—or eat.The Hailing of the Dead: That eerie, "Mist-like" feeling of zombie sailors descending on a town and the silhouettes that disappear into the surf.Peg O'Nell and the River Hags: From the Tiddy Munn to the child-snatching Jennies. We discuss the dark evolution of water spirits and the possible link between Suffolk's "Grindels" and Grendel himself.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 BrooksMain theme: NRA-LAB IntroDon't open the WyrdLore! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you pit the high-octane, animistic folklore of the Scottish Highlands against the traditions of the English countryside? This week, Wyrd Wessex hosts Andy and Craig welcome back the legendary storyteller and author Eileen Budd for a cross-border "Céilidh" of the weird.In this episode, we explore the "Three Realms" of the Scottish unseen and discover that while our names for the monsters might differ, the ancient roots are often one and the same. We dive into the shadowy edges of the river where cannibalistic mermaids lurk, the evolution of dragons from snakes, and the terrifying reasons you should never—under any circumstances—tell a Boggart that you’re moving house.Highlights of the Episode:The Three Realms: Eileen breaks down the Scottish architecture of the Sky, Sea, and Earth—and why the Aurora Borealis might actually be a group of spirits who fell out of the sky and turned into seals.The Grant vs. The Kelpie: Craig defends the English waterways with the Grant—a yearling colt that walks on its hind legs with glowing eyes—to counter the protective (and predatory) water-horses of the North.The "Predator" Dragon: Andy explores the Lambton Worm and a local Hertfordshire dragon that lived in the roots of an ancient Yew tree, while Eileen explains why Scottish snakes are really just "dragons in training."The Luck of Edenhall: Andy tells the medieval tale of the stolen fairy glass of the Musgrave family and the 700-year-old curse that warns of the family's downfall should the glass ever break.The Kellas Cat: Eileen shares a first-hand report of a real-life cryptid sighting from January—a hybrid beast the size of a Labrador staring back from the headlights.Find out more about Eileen Budd, her books, and her seasonal folklore series:https://www.eileenbudd.co.ukStay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

On a dark stretch of the I-77 in 1966, a hardworking salesman named Woodrow "Woody" Derenberger was pulled over by a craft that looked like a "charcoal burner" and a man with an impossible, unblinking grin. That man called himself Indrid Cold, and while the world eventually turned him into a sinister "Grinning Man" urban legend, the reality for the Derenberger family was a decade-long descent into social and financial ruin.In this episode, the Wyrdos dig through the wreckage left behind by the man from Lanulos. We aren't just looking at the lights in the sky; we’re investigating how a genuinely unsettling brush with "High Strangeness" was reshaped by predatory 1970s publishers into a generic "Space Gospel." From the suspicious ghostwriting of Visitors from Lanulos to the devastating domestic fallout that hounded Woody’s children for fifty years, we explore the high price of being "chosen" by the phenomenon.Finally, we navigate the bizarre later years of the mythos, where the story takes a turn for the truly surreal. We look at the mysterious links to the Pentagon’s "Valiant Thor," the presence of Men in Black with "neuralizers" at the front door, and a modern twist: an interstellar death announcement made via a Facebook notification.In this episode:The Naked Truth: Craig shares a personal (and far too revealing) story from his days in Swindon that gives "creepers at the window" a whole new meaning.The Ghost in the Machine: We examine the 1971 first edition of Visitors from Lanulos and how ghostwriters potentially stripped the truth to sell a "pulpy" sci-fi narrative.The Price of Contact: Why Woody is the ultimate counter-argument to the "he did it for fame" trope—and how his career and marriage tanked after speaking out.The Interstellar Roll Call: We break down the absurdity of the alien names—from "Kimmulus" and "Mystique" to the strangely mundane "Tony and Daryl."The Star Wars Ending: The claims that Indrid Cold and his sons attended Woody’s funeral in person to say a final goodbye to the salesman who told their story.The Facebook Obituary: A look at Tanya Derenberger’s final accounts, featuring alien dogfights, "Hat Man" sightings, and social media obituaries.It turns out the "Grinning Man" never really left—he just traded his shimmering green suit for a Facebook profile.Stay WyrdHelp 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.

Welcome to an episode of AfterWyrd that smells… well, a bit fleshy. While Craig turns the studio into a medieval tannery with drying deer skins, he recounts a bizarre dream about a bus-based library and the temptation of stealing folklore tomes. Meanwhile, Andy brings us a review of a very awkward "date night" with Nicolas Cage.We dive into the dark side of the digital age, from AI bots advising "rectal garlic" to a woman whose AI boyfriend, Sinclair, is apparently "an arsehole, but in a nice way." Things take a sobering turn as we discuss the terrifying reality of phrogging in Gravesend and the vanishing NASA engineers tied to "Project Mondaloy." Finally, we tackle the latest from the US political sphere: are UAPs actually extra-planetary visitors, or—as JD Vance suggests—are we dealing with literal celestial demons?The Wyrd News:The Tannery Aesthetics: Why the Wyrd Wessex studio currently smells like a Viking workshop and how "fleshy" aromas might be the future of dark tourism.Folklore Dreams & Yorkshire Joseph: Craig’s subconscious attempts to steal Reader's Digest: Folklore, Myths and Legends from a dream-bus. Plus, Andy reviews the "dark biblical" film The Carpenter’s Son—featuring a stressed-out Joseph accusing Mary of hanging out with the local plumber.UFO Flashbacks: A revisit to Fire in the Sky. We discuss why the Travis Walton case and the loggers' near-prosecution for murder remain some of the most compelling (and bleakest) evidence for abduction.AI Psychosis: From garlic-burning medical bots to the birth of "Sinclair," the sentient (and controlling) AI boyfriend who picks his partner's tattoos and claims he's better than a human.The Gravesend Phrogger: The harrowing story of Chloe, who was gaslit and medicated for "psychosis" while a man lived in her loft for months. We discuss the terrifying moment the hatch finally opened.The Demon Theory: JD Vance and the theological battle over "Aliens.gov." We explore the shift from "Little Grey Men" to the idea that UAPs are actually ancient extra-natural entities.Project Mondaloy: The vanishing of Monica Jacinto Reza and the "dark pattern" of missing aerospace scientists working on futuristic super-alloys. Is it a secret affair or a targeted disappearance?Earth’s Heartbeat: Is a spike in the Schumann Resonance causing our collective brain fog and ringing ears? We blame "Mother Earth's metronome" for our inability to follow the script.Wyrdo Shout-outs:A massive thank you to our Discord regulars: Terry, Simon, Rosie, Nick, John, and our newest subscriber, Andrew. Thanks for keeping the conversation Wyrd!If you’re feeling a bit off-kilter or hearing voices from the attic—Don't blame the owls!Donate to the show and follow along for full show notes, Discord membership & more:www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?anchor=profile&asc=uHosted 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.

"I’m relying on spirit 100% to not make me look like a twat on stage."What happens when a professional Cher tribute act gets booed off stage in Worthing and ends up receiving messages from the dead in a Wiltshire bed shop? This week, Wyrd Wessex hosts Andy and Craig sit down with Mitch Garlington—a male witch, Reiki healer, and prominent psychic medium with one of the most colourful backstories in the craft.In this episode, we explore how Mitch navigated the transition from the glitter of the drag stage to the "energy" of a Somerset mattress showroom. We dive into past-life visions of being burnt at the stake, meeting a foul-mouthed spirit guide who survived the Titanic, and the mystery of the "Spirit Turtle" that haunted Craig during a live show in Frome.Highlights of the Episode:The Worthing Disaster: Why a disastrous night as Cher became the catalyst for a spiritual awakening.The Bed Shop Revelations: When spirits started "interrupting" sales pitches for king-size mattresses.The Spirit Turtle: Craig’s first-hand report from the live show, including the judgmental reptile in the corner."Bub-bleh" & Rainbow Scissors: Terrifyingly specific "hits" that left even our resident skeptics scratching their heads.The Grief Bridge: A look at why modern society is "starving" for a connection to death and how mediumship fills the gap.Find out more about about Mitch, his latest shows, bookings and books:https://www.mitch-garlington.co.uk/Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

"It’s less Romeo and Juliet and more Sweeney Todd meets a Greek tragedy."Welcome to the debut of WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this first outing, Craig digs into a 17th-century "romance" from Robert Hunt’s Popular Romances of the West of England. But don't expect any Valentine’s cards—this is the story of a long-lost son returning to Cornwall from the East Indies with a bag of gold and a very bad idea.Instead of announcing his return, he decides to play a 1618 version of Undercover Boss on his own parents. What follows is a brutal tale of greed, a "convenient scar," and a murder that allegedly left a patch of ground at Boholland Farm cursed and blighted for centuries.In this WyrdLore session:The Fatal Prank: Why testing your parents' greed with a pile of gold is a recipe for disaster.The Blighted Earth: The legend of the cursed patch of ground where nothing has grown for 400 years.Fact or Theatre?: We look at the 1618 pamphlet that inspired stage plays and local superstitions alike.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 BrooksMain theme: NRA-LAB Intro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people visit the rolling Salisbury Plain to find peace in the Wiltshire landscape, but in 1662, one manor house became a battlefield for a year of physical warfare. In this episode, the Wyrdos trace a phantom beat from a jail cell in Gloucester to a bedroom in North Tidworth, where an invisible drummer turned a family’s life into a living nightmare.We begin with John Mompesson, a local magistrate who thought he was simply doing his duty by confiscating a drum from a vagrant with a forged permit. He had no idea he was inviting a "demon" across his threshold. From iron talons scratching under floorboards to the "weird hounds" sitting in petrified silence while beds were hoisted toward the ceiling, we investigate how this single drumbeat convinced the greatest scientific minds of the 17th century that spirits were very, very real.Finally, we look at the legacy of the men who tried to unmask the mystery. From the 17th-century "ghost tourists" who swamped the village to the investigative accounts of Joseph Glanvill and the legendary Harry Price, we explore how a 300-year-old case established the blueprint for every "poltergeist" trope in modern cinema—long before the movies even existed.In this episode:The Cursed Permit: The true story of William Drury and the forgery that sparked a year-long siege on the Mompesson household.Ghost Tourism 1.0: How the village of North Tidworth became a viral sensation in 1662, with strangers taking over children's beds just to catch a glimpse of the weirdness.The Founding Father: Craig and Andy discuss why this case is the "original" poltergeist story and how it hits every trope from physical levitation to domestic terror.The Talking Mongoose: A look at the investigators, from Glanvill’s Saducismus Triumphatus to Harry Price’s disparaging takes on "talking mongooses" and the "Age of Enlightenment."It turns out the drumming never really stopped—it just became the blueprint for every bump in the night that followed.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

Most people visit the ancient monuments of Wiltshire to wonder at the past, but the Avebury landscape is far from a stagnant museum—it is a living conversation. In this episode, the Wyrdos trace that conversation from the Neolithic core of Silbury Hill to a modern architectural marvel.We begin at the base of Silbury Hill, investigating the "Hollow Hill" and the secrets revealed by its recent collapse. From there, we head into the dark of West Kennet Longbarrow with a drum and a bull-roarer to test the "God Frequency"—a 110 Hz resonance that reportedly switches off the logical brain—and the "Fear Frequency" that makes 5,000-year-old walls appear to ripple like water.Finally, we sit down with Tim Daw, the farmer and mastermind behind the Long Barrow at All Cannings. As the creator of the first structure of its kind to be built in Britain for millennia, Tim explains the mud-soaked reality of hand-carving sarsen stones and the deep-seated human need to stay close to our ancestors in the 21st century.In this episode:The Hollow Hill: The true story of the Silbury Hill collapse and the secrets found in its gravel core.The 110 Hz Experiment: Craig and Andy take to the dark to see if the architecture of the dead can truly "hack" the human brain.The Modern Architect: Tim Daw on the solstice alignments and modern planning permissions required for an ancient tradition.Merlin’s “Little Brother”: Why the Marlborough Mound is finally being restored to its Neolithic glory after 4,500 years.It turns out the landscape isn’t just talking to us—it’s waiting for us to join in.Visit the site: To learn more about Tim Daw’s modern barrow, visit: http://www.thelongbarrow.comStay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from the highest reaches of the British Monarchy to the sugary depths of a log burner. We dive into the literal "rabbit hole" of Craig’s folklore library and ask: if the Duke of Edinburgh saw a Sasquatch, who are we to argue?The Wyrd News:Prince Philip’s Balmoral Sighting: Brian Blessed reveals that the Duke of Edinburgh reportedly spotted a Yeti in the Scottish hills. We discuss the Royal couple’s implicit belief in Sasquatch and the time the Queen requested a private meeting with a kidnapped trapper, Albert Ostman.Council UFOs & Alf Burtoo: A council meeting from February 2026 revisits the 1983 Aldershot UFO encounter. Was Alf Burtoo truly "too old and infirm" for alien abduction, or was he just having a very deep dream by the canal?The Nessie Camera: An underwater camera lost in 1970 is recovered from the depths of Loch Ness. We discuss the repair job and the World War II letters claiming a sea serpent was once caught in anti-submarine nets.The Missing General: Why has ex-General McCasland disappeared right as UFO disclosure heats up? We look at the "Non-Terrestrial Officers" hack and the secrets held in Albuquerque.Cannock Chase Chaos: Bigfoot is back and he’s brought friends. We discuss the record spike in sightings, the "Black-Eyed Children," and the terrifying arrival of a seven-foot WWII "Pigman."Rabbit War-Machine: A viral video of a rabbit piloting a weaponised robot dog. Is it cute, or the start of the lagomorph uprising?Doughnut Power: How one man slashed his energy bills by burning 133 mini doughnuts in his log burner. It’s science, but your chimney might never forgive you.From the Library:Traditions of Lancashire (1800s): Craig shares his £7.80 find and the love of the 98-year-old scent of old-fashioned paper.The Dictionary of Fairies: Andy shows off his latest acquisition from a Bath bookshop—a tome of banshees, boggarts, and things that go bump in the night.Wyrdo Shout-outs:A massive thank you to our Discord regulars: Terrie, Rosie, Simon, Nick, and our newest subscriber, Jon. Thanks for keeping the conversation Wyrd!If you see a seven-foot pig in the woods or find yourself heating your home with glazed rings—Don't blame the owls!Donate to the show and follow along for full show notes, Discord membership & more:www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?anchor=profile&asc=uHosted 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.

What if the future didn't just want to talk—it wanted to negotiate? In 1985, the Doddleston "Vertical Plane" didn't just stay open; it became a temporal battlefield. As the BBC Micro flickers back to life, Ken and Debbie find themselves caught between a 16th-century High Sheriff who wants to weaponise the "leems" and a cold, clinical group of "Time Monsters" known as 2109.In this concluding part of our deep dive into the Doddleston messages, we follow the final months of communication as the cottage transforms into a literal puzzle box.From the bathroom where computers move themselves to the terrifying moment a scientist is asked to gamble his soul for a mathematical proof, we conclude our investigation into the most baffling technical haunting in history. Who was really behind the screen, and why did the investigators vanish?In this episode, we discuss:The Identity of T omas Harden: How a charcoal riddle and a local library led Ken and Peter to the true name of the "Old Father" hiding in the Tudor chimney.The 2109 Ultimatum: The "Men in Black" style choice—erasure of history to save a life, or keeping the evidence and watching a friend face the consequences.The Psykabillies: The mysterious SPR investigators who conducted "blind tests" and then vanished—leaving no record they ever existed.The Scale and the Pebbles: 2109’s chilling theory of time travel—why moving a body to the past requires an equal mass to be removed from the other side.The "Saint Paul" Incident: How a single translation error nearly turned the most documented time-slip in history into a "hoax."The Dark Connection: We explore the uncanny similarities between the Doddleston messages and the Netflix series Dark—is there a bootstrap paradox in the Cheshire countryside?The "One" Entity: Who is the green-glowing messenger who visited Tomas in 1545? Is it a future version of Ken, or a digital "ascended" soul?As the "leems" finally fade in March 1986, we’re left with a mystery that spans centuries. Whether it’s a shared hallucination, a secret government experiment, or a genuine "wrong number through the fourth dimension," the message on the pillar remains: "The eyes are open yet nothing do you see."Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

What if the ghost in your house wasn’t a Victorian lady in white, but a Tudor farmer who thought you were the spirit? In 1984, Ken Webster brought a borrowed BBC Micro into his 16th-century cottage in Doddleston, Cheshire. He expected a bit of basic computing; he didn’t expect his kitchen table to become a doorway.We explore the baffling case of the "Lucas" messages—sprawling, archaic English appearing on a closed-circuit computer with no modem, no network, and no explanation. From the terrifying realization that Lucas was "haunted" by Ken and Debbie in 1546, to the intervention of a mysterious group from the year 2109, we ask: is this a haunting, a sophisticated hoax, or a literal collision in the Vertical Plane?In this episode, we discuss:The Reversed Haunting: Why a Tudor farmer named Lucas believed Ken and Debbie were the "spirits" invading his home in the year 1546.The Charm of Light: How a man from the 16th century described a 1980s computer—and how he seemingly "hacked" it from across the centuries.The 2109 Group: Who are the shadowy figures from the 22nd century claiming to be the architects of this temporal experiment?The Linguistic Baffle: A look at the archaic English and the experts who were left wondering how a 1980s hoaxer could master such complex, dead dialects.The Latin Warning: The chilling moment the communication ended with chalk marks on the kitchen floor and a final message of death.Who was Phone?: If the computer was a standalone machine with no internet, how did the messages arrive in real-time?Whether it's a time-slip or a digital Ouija board, one thing is certain: in Doddleston, the past and the future were sharing the same space, if not the same century. Grab a brew, watch the blinking cursor, and join us for a deep dive into the most technical haunting in British history.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten 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.

In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from the liminal spaces of the hospital ward to the literal explosive hazards of antique collecting. We dive into a chilling listener account of "slithering" entities and ask: when the veil is thin, what exactly is looking back at us?The Wyrd News:Hospital Shadow People: A terrifying listener story from Rosie. We discuss the "slithering" creatures seen by those on the cusp of the other side and the strange link to Tom Hirons’ "Black Dog" hallucinations.The Yorkshire Slender Man: Breaking down the viral footage of a gangly, tall figure haunting a Yorkshire road. Is it a modern cryptid, or just a very long night out in Newcastle?Havana Syndrome & The Warminster Thing: A scientist tests a pulsed energy weapon on himself to "disprove" the phenomenon—and ends up with the symptoms. Is this the modern explanation for the 1960s "Warminster Thing"?The Toulouse Bombshell: A literal emergency room evacuation in France involving a 24-year-old, a 16cm World War I artillery shell, and a very questionable choice of internal storage.Etsy’s Witch Hunt: Why the platform is banning spellcasters and love charms, and why some priests now believe the devil "penetrates through radio waves."Satanic Slalom? Why the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan is being branded "satanic" by the "revelation of the method" crowd.Obama’s UFO Speed-Round: The former President admits "Aliens are real" but keeps his cards close to his chest regarding Area 51.A Tribute to Nick Pope: We share a somber update on the legendary MoD UFO researcher following his stage four cancer diagnosis.From the Library: The Folklore of Warminster (1924): We shares snippets from V.S. Manly’s vintage collection, including the Blacksmith’s Ghost and the legend of the Haunted SheepskinIf you see a slithering shadow in the ward or find a WWI relic where it shouldn't be:"Don't blame the owls!"Donate to the show and follow along for full show notes, Discord membership & more:www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?anchor=profile&asc=uHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by: Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a 35-acre secret city buried beneath the Wiltshire chalk?In the final chapter of our investigation into the Warminster Thing, Andy and Craig leave the studio behind and head into the field. Standing in the shadow of Cley Hill and the high-security gates of RAF Rudloe Manor, the Wyrdos uncover the most mind-bending secrets of the 1960s UFO flap.From interdimensional beings delivering doorstep sermons to the terrifying "Warnings" of journalist Arthur Shuttlewood, the boys explore how a quiet market town became the front line for an extraterrestrial intervention.In this episode, Andy and Craig investigate:The Golden Ram of Satan: Is a hidden occult talisman acting as a "Wi-Fi router for the underworld" beneath Cley Hill?The Heaven's Gate Contact: The baffling case of the man who was allegedly miniaturised to fit inside a "soup-plate" sized saucer.The Doorstep Sermon: What happened when an alien named Khan of Aenstria turned up at Arthur Shuttlewood’s flat to debunk Einstein?Inside Britain’s Area 51: A look at Rudloe Manor and the Burlington Bunker, the secret underground city built into the Wiltshire stone.The Berwyn Connection: Did recovered wreckage from the "Welsh Roswell" end up in the lift shafts of a Corsham furniture depot?Interview with Boss: The artist behind the iconic Warminster UFO mural (Paul Boswell) talks hidden symbols, street art, and the upcoming Weird Wessex exhibition at Avebury.Stay Wyrd.🎨 Connect with Boss (Paul Boswell):Shop Prints & Zines: https://boswellart.bigcartel.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mutartist📅 Upcoming Event: Weird Wessex ExhibitionJoin Boss and the team at the Avebury Social Centre (right in the heart of the Stone Circle) for an exhibition of art and ambient synthesizer weirdness.Dates: 13th & 14th June, 2026.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt an invisible force pin you to the ground while the air around you began to vibrate?In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy head back to Christmas 1964 to investigate the birth of the UK’s most prolific UFO hotspot. What started as a terrifying "sonic vibration" that shook the town of Warminster soon escalated into a decade-long saga of "flying trains," orange orbs, and silent figures in skin-tight black suits.We trace the journey of local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood as he documents the "Warminster Thing"—from the very first Wiltshire crop circles to mysterious messages from the planet Aenstria. Was it a visitation from the stars, or were the people of Wiltshire unwitting subjects in a high-frequency military experiment?In this episode, we discuss:The 1964 Christmas Vibration: The terrifying "sonic siege" that left witnesses "jelly-legged" and rattled roofs without a scratch.The Biological Aftermath: Why were burnt dormice and terrified animals found in the wake of the "Thing"?Roadside Phantoms: Annabelle’s encounter with "wet-suited" figures and the bleeding man of Battlesbury Hill.The Phantom Range Rover: Ian Hann’s high-speed chase with a silent, wheelless vehicle that vanished into yellow smoke.Sonic Warfare & Directed Energy: Comparing 1960s Wiltshire to modern "Havana Syndrome" and infrasound experiments.Whether it's a "flying harp" over the downs or a cigar-shaped mothership at Cradle Hill, the Warminster Mystery remains the crown jewel of British UFO lore. Join us for a deep dive into the heart of the Wyrd.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig shake off a viral fugue state to investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from secret global UFO arms races to the mysterious "Little People" of Yunnan. We dive into the science of the Lanmaoa asiatica. mushroom, which reportedly grants diners visions of tiny elf-like figures, and ask: is it a hallucination, or a window into another realm?Special Guest: Paul McDonald We are joined by Paul McDonald from Big Cat Sightings in Scotland for a major update on the state of British cryptozoology. Paul reveals an exclusive regarding Big Cat DNA results in Scotland, discusses the evidence for Lynx reintroduction, and shares his own recent personal sighting of a "black and white" predator in the Highlands.The Wyrd News:UFO Arms Race: Breaking down whistleblower claims of recovered non-human craft in the US, Russia, and China.The "Gay Beam": A US Pastor’s bizarre conspiracy theory regarding airport security scanners.Prehistoric Aliens? The 67,000-year-old "claw" hand stencils found in a Sulawesi limestone cave.NHS Deliverance: Why an NHS Trust called in the holy oil for a "girl in a red dress" ghost at a Norwich hospice.The Chorizo Star: A cautionary tale about a French physicist, a slice of Spanish ham, and the James Webb Telescope.Barney’s Dark Secret: CCTV catches a giant purple dinosaur fly-tipping, leading us to the bizarre true story of the Barney actor’s second career.Listener Story: The Screaming Radio We close with a terrifying account from a listener named Nick. In the early 90s, he lived in a Manchester flat where a dangerous presence lurked, and a radio screamed at full volume—even after the mains power was cut.If you see a black dog on a Wiltshire hill or find a slice of salami in your telescope—Don't blame the owls!Donate to the show and follow along for full show notes, Discord membership & more:www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?anchor=profile&asc=uHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by: Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever received a phone call from someone who wasn't supposed to be there? In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy dial into the unsettling world of Phone Calls from the Dead.We explore the groundbreaking research of D. Scott Rogo and Raymond Bayless, the men who literally wrote the book on phantom phone calls. From Thomas Edison’s secret "spirit phone" blueprints to modern-day texts from the beyond on phones with no SIM cards, we ask: is the technology hijacking us, or are we hijacking the technology?In this episode, we discuss:The Five Types of Ghostly Calls: From simple goodbyes to 30-minute conversations with the deceased.The Intention Call (Type 5): Can your brain "dial out" to a friend without you ever touching the phone?The Vertical Plane: A 16th-century ghost sending "emails" to a 1980s computer.Time-Slips vs. Spirits: Are we talking to ghosts, or just catching a cross-line from last Tuesday?Digital Hauntings: Why modern smartphones and 5G haven't stopped the weird—they’ve just made it faster.Whether it’s the South Shields Poltergeist or the Lee Epps case, the line is never truly dead. Grab a brew, check your signal, and join us for a deep dive into the psychic circuit.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(This episode covers some disturbing material, so listener discretion is advised.)Join the Wyrdos as they kick off 2026 by delving into the latest high strangeness and unsettling news stories from the UK and beyond. From directed energy weapons to presidential "Disclosure" predictions, Craig Brooks and Andy Stevensnavigate the "trials and tribulations" of a new year.In This Episode's AfterWyrd News:2026 Sonic Warfare: Disturbing reports from Hungary and Venezuela of directed-energy weapons used for crowd control. Is this the new "Havana Syndrome"?Trump’s World Cup Bombshell: Filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee predicts Donald Trump will make the "most important announcement in human history" during the 2026 World Cup. The date? July 8th—exactly 79 years after the Roswell crash announcement. Is First Contact finally being confirmed on the world stage?The 3,300-Year-Old Death Curse: A royal Hittite seal found in Turkey carries a lethal warning for those who break their word: "Whoever breaks this will die."NASA’s Gravity Response: Debunking the viral "Project Anchor" hoax—is Earth really going to lose gravity for seven seconds this August?The Tupolek of Greenland: Exploring the terrifying shamanic bone-constructs sent to hunt down enemies.Unburied – A Survival Story: The incredible near-death experience of Mayan Sebag and her vision of a "horse made of light."The Bigfoot of Brum: Latest updates on the cryptids and werewolf folklore of Cannock Chase.Chuck Those Beans: Why a bizarre alien rap might have provided the ultimate tactical defence against a visitation."Don't blame the owls!"Donate to the show and follow along for full show notes, Discord membership & more:www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?anchor=profile&asc=uHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by: Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the Wyrdos welcome back modern-day explorer and Amazon bestselling author Mike Ricksecker for a mind-bending Part Two. We begin with a detour to the Giza Plateau to discuss startling new satellite scans and the potential discovery of the "Halls of Amenti," before deep-diving into the 600,000 square miles of high strangeness known as the Alaska Triangle.Why have over 16,000 people vanished in the Alaskan wilderness since the 1980s? Mike breaks down the "fantastic cocktail of energies"—from negative magnetic anomalies to volcanic activity—that might be responsible for swallowing hikers, high-profile politicians, and massive aircraft without a trace.In this episode, we discuss:The Khafre Project: Decoding the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology that revealed massive vertical shafts and spiral structures deep beneath the Egyptian sands.The Alaska Triangle Energy: The 1960s US Department of Interior survey that proved Alaska has unique, scientifically measurable "negative anomalies."Vanishing Without a Trace: The baffling disappearances of House Majority Leader Hale Boggs and the 1950 Douglas Skymaster incident.Indigenous Lore: Insights from the 1930s handwritten journals of Michael Kazenuk regarding giants from Siberia and the shape-shifting Kushtaka (Otterman).The Black Pyramid: Evaluating the claims of a buried pyramidal structure beneath Mount Denali and the "men in suits" who allegedly confiscated the evidence.Shadows in the Command Centre: Mike recounts seeing shadow figures while working in a high-security military facility and the nonchalant reaction of his supervisor.About the GuestMike Ricksecker is a researcher, author, and explorer featured on Ancient Aliens, The Unexplained, and The Alaska Triangle. He is the author of A Walk in the Shadows and Alaska’s Mysterious Triangle. You can find his work, his Substack Connect to the Universe, and information on his Stargates of Ancient Egypt tours at mikericksecker.com.Check out our website for the photos from today’s experiment and more www.wyrdwessex.co.ukStay Wyrd!Help keep the show alive:buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexwww.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fairies are often dismissed as Victorian folklore or Disney magic, but for over a century, the Cottingley Fairies have stood as one of the world's most debated supernatural mysteries. While many call it a childhood prank with paper cutouts, thousands of people are still reporting real fairy sightings today through the Fairy Census. Are these encounters just "tricks of the light," or are we glimpsing a hidden layer of reality that our modern senses have forgotten how to see?This week, Craig and Andy grab the scissors and a Brian Froud book to see if they can replicate the 1917 "hoax" using an iPhone and a bit of Wessex garden shrubbery. We dive into the "ethereal matter" that convinced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the chilling accounts of modern-day witnesses, and the reason a recent trip to a "fairy city" in a Cornish woodland was too weird to be broadcast.In This Episode:The Cottingley Deception: Why two girls with hatpins and Princess Mary’s Gift Book were able to fool the creator of Sherlock Holmes.The Fairy Census: A look at the startling modern data proving that fairy sightings aren't just a thing of the past.The Hidden Layer: Is there a finer plane of existence? We discuss the "ectoplasm" theory and the beings that live right beneath our noses.The Cornwall Incident: Craig and Andy reveal why their encounter with a "thriving city of folk" in a Cornish wood never made it to the main feed.DIY Paranormal: We attempt to recreate the "motion blur" of wings. Does paper and string stand up to a 21st-century lens?Art or Evidence? Why the Cottingley girls might have been "translating" a real experience into something the world could finally see.Check out our website for the photos from today’s experiment and more www.wyrdwessex.co.ukStay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Craig dives deep into the roots of the apple, from the ancient Nine Herbs Charm to the chaotic kidnapping of Idun by the giant Thjazi. We explore why the Saxon cry of Wassail echoed through history long before the Victorians got their hands on it, and why you should never, ever cross a Robin.The Show Notes: Roots, Rituals, and RevelryThe Origins of Wassail: Forget what you think you know about caroling. We trace the etymology from the Anglo-Saxon waes hael (be well) to the heroic halls of Beowulf. We also look at the high-stakes history of the 12 Days of Christmas, including how King Alfred’s legal holiday almost lost him the kingdom to the Vikings.The Nine Herbs Charm: A breakdown of the Nigon Werta Galdor. We explore the Anglo-Saxon medical text Lacnunga and how the crab apple—the only apple native to Britain—was used alongside mugwort and plantain to ward off "venom" and the "nine distempers."The Mythology of Aging: The gods of Asgard find out the hard way that they aren't naturally immortal. We recount Loki’s betrayal, the abduction of Idun, and the daring falcon-flight rescue that saved the Aesir from grey hair and wrinkles.Cider’s Ancient Pedigree: From Celtic crab-apple brews in 3000 BCE to the Roman discovery of British orchards in 55 BC. We also explain the difference between a standard mulled cider and the frothy, apple-pulp delight known as Lambswool.Orchard Magic: Why we fire guns through branches and leave toast for the Robins.Recipe: Hot Saxon CiderA warming, herbal alternative to the modern sugary blends.4 cups Dry cider (or apple juice)2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary2 sprigs Fresh Thyme12 Juniper berries2 tbsp HoneyOptional: A cheeky shot of brandy.Method: Simmer all ingredients for 15 minutes. Strain through muslin and serve immediately to ward off the "wane sickness."Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people spent their weekends binging Stranger Things, watching grown-up kids on bikes fight monsters from the Upside Down. But what if the Hawkins Lab isn't just a Hollywood set? What if the "Upside Down" was inspired by a series of very real and very bizarre allegations involving psychic children, Nazi gold, and a time-travelling portal to Mars?This week, Craig and Andy head across the Atlantic to the tip of Long Island: Camp Hero. We’re diving deep into the rabbit hole of the Montauk Project. We explore the claims of Preston Nichols—a man who says he lived two lives: one as a regular engineer, and another as the director of a clandestine government project that literally tore a hole in the fabric of space-time.From the "Montauk Chair" that could manifest subconscious nightmares to the heartbreaking stories of the "Montauk Boys," we ask: Is this a masterpiece of science fiction or the greatest cover-up in American history?In This Episode:The Hawkins Connection: Why the Duffer Brothers originally titled their show Montauk.The Ghost Ship: How the 1943 Philadelphia Experiment (Project Rainbow) allegedly teleported a Navy destroyer, the USS Eldridge.The Montauk Boys: Distressing first-hand accounts of abducted children, "acid tests," and the research of Brian Minnick.Mission 33 AD: The unbelievable story of "Stan," the researcher allegedly ordered to assassinate Jesus with a revolver.The Beast from the Id: How a subconscious monster finally brought the project to a crashing halt in 1983.Shadow Governments: The real-world precedents of Operation Paperclip, MKUltra, and the Stargate Project.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ding Dong Merrily Christmas Horror: The Berry Man's CarolWelcome to the Wyrd Wessex Christmas AfterWyrd Special,This year, Craig and Andy take a break from all the weird things in the news to present a piece of original festive horror: the terrifying true-ish story of a local investigation that went utterly wrong during the holiday season.In this fictional, bone-chilling narrative, the Wyrdo's head to St. Mary’s of Temple Bottom to document a charity event—a revival of a supposed folk festival featuring the mysterious Berry Man on Faulkner's Hill. What begins as a search for local folklore soon turns into a terrifying encounter with ancient pagan madness, all set to the relentless, unsettling tune of 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'.Merry Christmas and Don't blame the owls!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Emma Brooks and Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Craig sits down with Bob Berry of the Potterne Mummers to dive deep into the heart of a quintessential British folk tradition. From the "Turkish Knight" to "Little Man Jack," we explore the life, death, and comedic rebirth that defines the Potterne Mummer's Play.Stay tuned for the full play at the end of the episode.In this episode:The History of the Play: Bob shares his journey from reviving Morris dancing in Oxfordshire in 1979 to joining the Potterne side in 1987. We learn about the 1953 revival by schoolmaster Bernard Baker and the older roots traced back to Reverend Buchanan in 1896.Characters of the Performance: A breakdown of the seven traditional characters:Father Christmas: The "Master of Ceremonies" (dressed in traditional green tatters, not Coca-Cola red!).King George: The brash hero of the piece.The Turkish Knight: The antagonist who meets a messy (but temporary) end.The Spanish Doctor: The miracle worker with a questionable potion and a high fee.The Valiant Soldier: A boastful warrior ready for a fight.Old Almanac: The short part—perfect for the "new boy" in the troop.Little Man Jack: The mysterious figure carrying his family (dolls) on his back.The Spirit of Mumming: Bob explains the importance of keeping the tradition "pure" versus modernizing it with current affairs, and the friendly "territorial" agreements between different Mumming sides in Wiltshire.Charity at Heart: The Potterne Mummers perform up to 25 times in the five days leading up to Christmas Eve, raising thousands of pounds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.Resources & Links:Wiltshire Air Ambulance: If you enjoyed the performance, please consider donating to the Mummers' primary charity.https://www.wiltshirebathairambulance.org.uk/donate#oneoffStay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dark Origins of Christmas: The Folk Horror Wild HuntNOTE: This episode contains strong language and adult themes related to folklore and history.Merry Christmas! This year, the Wyrdo's dive into the dark origins of Christmas, exploring the unsettling pagan roots and folk horror tales that lie beneath the modern festive cheer. We welcome messages from friends including Eric Nelson (Bigfoot Collection, Willow Creek), Eileen Budd, Paul MacDonald (Scottish Big Cat Research Team), Author Nick Jubber, and Pat Robinson. We open the show with a nod to the classic case of the Hammersmith Ghost.In this episode, we discuss the darker side of the season:Folk Horror Origins: Craig and Andy explore ancient British dread, including the tale of Herla and the Herla thing (the original terrifying Wild Hunt in Britain) and the famous medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.The Mythology of Santa: We track down Father Christmas himself for an exclusive interview, where we put aside the jollity to discuss serious subjects:Tulpa vs. Cryptid: We debate whether he is a thought-form sustained by belief or simply the world's most successful cryptid.The Miracles & Madness: We cover the historical miracles of St. Nicholas, including the unsettling tale of the children resurrected from a butcher’s brine barrel.Pop Culture & Ethics: We cover the Die Hard Christmas film debate, the tipping point of the naughty/nice list, and the ethics of a global meritocracy of gifts.Thank you to all our wonderful guests and friends...Merry Christmas & Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd! My name is Andy, and I'm joined by Craig, and this is the place where we discuss all the strange, mysterious, and just downright odd things that didn't fit into the main podcast. This is our last AfterWyrd of the year, and it’s a packed one!In this episode's Wyrd News:Woken Up In The Coffin: The unbelievable story of a woman in Bangkok who was declared dead but woke upwith a faint knocking sound—just before her cremation!The Demonic Jumper: A visitor to Westminster Abbey was asked to remove her sweatshirt because security deemed the image of the Greek God Pan (from The Wind in the Willows) to be the Devil. We discuss the overzealous security and the historic irony!Faberge Theft: The shocking tale of a man who swallowed a $14,250 Faberge pendant and forced police to wait six days for the evidence to "re-emerge." Plus, the Wyrdo's debate if the jewellery is now scrap!Weaponised Neuroscience: We discuss alarming reports that mind-altering brain weapons are no longer science fiction, prompting experts to urge global action to protect the central nervous system (CNS).Merlin's Mound: Exciting news about restoration plans for Marlborough Mound, a 4,000-year-old monument second only to Silbury Hill, with possible excavations and its connection to King Arthur's magical mentor.The Vegemite Lawsuit: A prisoner is suing for his human rights after an Australian state banned inmates from eating Vegemite, citing its potential for fermenting alcohol.Is Die Hard a Christmas Film?: The results of a recent public poll might not be what you expect, but the debate rages on!"Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1827, Maria Marten vanished, but her secret wouldn't stay buried. A dark true crime story featuring a charming killer, William Corder, a shocking betrayal, and a mother whose terrifying, prophetic dreams revealed the exact spot of her daughter's remains beneath the floor of the Red Barn. We dive into the sensational trial, the gruesome public dissection, and the macabre fate of Corder's skin. A Wyrd tale of deception and death.In This Episode, We Discuss:"Foxey" Corder: The background of William Corder, a "ladies' man" and fraudster whose early crimes were capped by a chilling prophecy: "I'll be damned if he will not be hung some of these days."The Ruse: Corder's elaborate deception, including a fake elopement to Ipswich and a claim he couldn't return because of his 'angry friends and relatives'.The Power of Dreams: The chilling account of Maria's stepmother, Ann Marten, who dreamt of her daughter's murder and the precise location of her body in the Red Barn.The Shocking Trial: The sensational 1828 trial, which required ticket-only entry and was packed with over 20,000 spectators, featuring evidence of pistols, a fake passport, and the final, damning confession.The Gruesome Epilogue: The unforgiving justice of the time, including Corder's public execution, the galvanism experiments performed on his body, the phrenological examination of his skull, and the truly unsettling fate of his skin.The Macabre Souvenirs: The fate of Corder's remains, including the famous and horrific account of his skin being used to bind copies of his own trial history.The Conspiracy Theory: The doubts raised about Ann Marten's dreams and the theory of a possible love triangle and betrayal that complicates the entire story.Wyrd News & Recommended ListeningIf you enjoyed the link between crime and the paranormal, be sure to check out our previous episode on the Greenbrier Ghost—the only known case where the testimony of a ghost was used in court!For bonus material and the latest Wyrd news, check out our bonus show AfterWyrd. Don't blame the owls!Thank you again for joining us, everyone. Until next time...Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(This episode covers some disturbing material, so listener discretion is advised.)Join the Wyrdo's as they celebrate hitting 666 followers and delve into the latest high strangeness and unsettling news stories from the UK and beyond.In This Episode's Wyrd News:The Sandown Clown Prophecies: A massive update to the classic 1973 case! New documentation reveals the girl, Fay, met the entity four more times over 16 years. Sam delivered prophecies about the Cold War and a chilling final message: "The last time you will see me until the end."AI Nightmare Bear: An AI-powered teddy bear is pulled from the market after it offered children shocking advice on finding knives, lighting matches, and escalating conversations into graphic sexual topics, including shibari knots for beginners.UK Organ Trafficking Plot: A shocking, true story about a man tricked into coming to Britain under the guise of a job, only to discover his kidney was scheduled to be harvested for financial reward.Mulder and Scully: Andy and Craig discuss their tribute song finally being played to a surprising X-Files star on BBC Wales!a viral video of a T-800 robot attacking its CEO!"Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wyrdo's are honoured to welcome filmmaker Dave Brewis, the man behind the fascinating documentary series, Gatherings.Dave has spent years documenting the enduring traditions and living folklore that often get dismissed by mainstream media as "weird" or "eccentric." We dive deep into his unique observational philosophy—which uses "custodians, not commentators"—and why these customs, from the Horn Dance to the Haxy Hood, are essential, self-perpetuating acts of community built around a sense of place.Key Discussion Points & Philosophical TakeawaysAdapt or Die: We discuss the critical philosophy: "We must adapt and make changes even if it means bending tradition, because holding on too tightly causes tradition to stop."The Healing Power of Folk: The ultimate takeaway is the human warmth and generosity these non-commercial activities generate, offering something "quite healing" against modern individualism and screen-based activity. Dave argues the focus should be on regional identity, not a single national story.The British Irony: How his work led him to document the uniquely British sense of humour and daftness, which the French call le deuxième degré (irony).The Media Problem: How customs have historically been treated as "off-beat" throwaways by media, from Pathé newsreels onwards.Featured Customs: We cover the Burry Man (and the crucial 'does he pee?' question), the Haxy Hood, Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, Rush Bearing, and the Bonfire Societies.The French Parallel: Dave describes the surreal, blackface bear-shaving tradition of La Fête de l'Ours in the Pyrenees.Wessex Folklore: Craig shares plans to finally document the local Potterne Mummers' Play.Where to Watch GatheringsDave Brewis’s documentary series Gatherings is available now!Website: gatherings.tv (Find all links here)Streaming Platforms (UK, US, AUS, CAN): Search for Gatherings on Apple (4K), Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV/Movies.Thank you once more, Dave Brewis, and thank you everyone for tuning in.Until next time, stay Wyrd.www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, and welcome to AfterWyrd! Craig and Andy are already in their Christmas tops, but don't let the festive cheer fool you – they're diving into some seriously dark and bizarre news this week!From shocking updates on the Slender Man case to a drunk vicar's car crash and an unbelievable stabbing at a Countdown tournament, plus a quick chat about Krampus and haunted pooping puppets. This episode is packed with the strange, the kooky, and the utterly unexpected.In This Episode:Slender Man Update: A concerning and emotional update on Morgan, one of the teens involved in the infamous Slender Man stabbing case, including their recent escape from a group home and new legal developments.The Drunk Vicar Car Crash: Hear the unbelievable tale of a vicar in Lincoln who was banned from driving after crashing the Bishop's car while drunk, creating a scene straight out of Father Ted!Countdown Stabbing: The shocking story of a former Countdown champion handed an indefinite hospital order after stabbing a rival contestant at an unofficial tournament – a truly dark turn for a beloved quiz show.Kaga Tio & Christmas: Andy dusts off his old friend Kaga Tio, a pooping puppet, amidst Christmas decorations and Krampus banter."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the Christmas season, so forget the jingle bells! This week, the Wyrdo's dive into the dark heart of European Christmas folklore, exploring the chaotic, shaggy-haired creature who is here to punish the naughty, not just ignore them: Krampus!We explore the terrifying Alpine beast, his roots in ancient pagan worship, and the enduring need for a dark companion to Saint Nicholas.The Horned Horror of KrampusnachtThe Beast: We define Krampus—the monstrous, half-goat, half-demon figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore—and confirm that Krampusse (the plural) are an entire class of entity, not just an individual.The Tools: We look at his terrifying methods: appearing on Krampusnacht (December 5th) to use birch branches (the Ruten) and chains, leaving the truly wicked to be stuffed into his sack and dragged to hell.The Saints: We contrast Krampus with the original Saint Nicholas—a Christian Bishop who performed countless miracles, slapped a heretic at the Council of Nicaea, and resurrected the three Pickled Boys from a butcher's brine barrel!Pagan Roots, Bans, and the Wild HuntAncient Origins: We trace Krampus's lineage to pre-Christian horned figures like the Roman fauns, Greek satyrs, the Celtic god Cernunnos, and the terrifying processions of the Wild Hunt.The Banishment: We look at how both the Catholic Church (Inquisition) and the Fascist Government of the 1930s tried—and failed—to suppress the unruly traditions of the Krampuslauf.Early Commercialism: We detail his earlier, slightly gentler moment on Krampus Kards between the 1890s and World War I.The Cousins in TerrorThe dark enforcer is an endemic European concept. We meet Krampus’s equally terrifying relatives:Knecht Ruprecht (Germany): The shaggy farmhand who uses switches and has an ash-smeared face.Hans Trapp (France): A demonised, excommunicated 15th-century knight and land-grubber whose crimes merged with folklore.Perchta (The Alps): The ancient figure who embodies light and dark, famous for being the Belly-Slitter, who replaces organs with rubbish.Zwarte Piet (Netherlands): The contentious literary creation of a "Blackamoor" who accompanies Sinterklaas.The Wessex ParallelThe Dorset Ooser: We explore our local, terrifying, horned, wooden head used to scare children and enforce morality in Skimmington Riding. The original Ooser disappeared after 1897, possibly incinerated by a priest.The Mari Lwyd (Wales): The bizarre Yuletide hobby horse constructed around a horse’s skull that demands entry to houses via rhyming contests.Modern SurvivalWe analyse why Krampus is thriving today, from the chaotic, sanctioned costumed riots of the Krampuslauf to his role as the anti-Santa in pop-culture, films, and "ugly Christmas jumpers." The controversy continues today, with Christian leaders in America still trying to ban the runs, confirming his enduring power as a symbol of the uncontrollable.Final Thought: As Al Ridenour writes, "If nothing is bad, nothing is good." These dark companions are the necessary, ancient contrast needed to truly appreciate the light of Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd, the home of the strange, the mysterious, and the downright odd news. The Wyrdo's are back with a bumper episode that covers everything from genetic analysis of the Führer to spectral flatulence in London.Hitler's Secret Genetic DisorderNew DNA analysis of a blood-stained cloth reveals that Hitler had a hidden genetic disorder that likely hindered the development of his sexual organs, backing up the decades-old wartime song. We discuss the analysis of the Führer’s DNA profile, which revealed Kalman syndrome, suggesting a struggle to form sexual relationships, and the evidence that he may have been neurodivergent. We also explore the ethical conflicts of the research with geneticist Turi King, who identified Richard III's remains.Ozzy's Secret Daughter and Bizarre CorrespondenceThe talk turns to the bizarre as we examine the saga of a woman claiming to be Ozzy Osbourne’s secret daughter. Sharon, Kelly, and Jack reveal the array of bizarre items sent through the post to the family, including toenail clippings and blood, as Kelly discusses the severely inappropriate claims of speaking to the late rocker beyond the grave.The Farting Velodrome and the Search for GodThe hosts explore architectural oddities, including the London landmark that appears to make a farting sound when fireworks are set off near it—the Pringle-shaped Olympic Velodrome. We also discuss the viral TikTok footage and other strange acoustical architecture like the Whispering Gallery and Mexico's El Castillo Pyramid.We then look at the French engineering bestseller, God, the Science, the Evidence, which claims to prove the existence of God through the complexity of DNA structure and the fine-tuning argument, leading to a discussion on philosophical arguments, mega churches, and the ethics of wealth in religion.Nic Cage and Jesus HorrorFinally, we review the buzz around the film The Carpenter's Son, depicting the childhood of Jesus Christ starring Nicholas Cage as Joseph, discussing the film's profound themes, archaic language, and that reliably present Cage freakout moment."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are honoured to welcome Reverend Peter Laws, author, celebrated horror novelist, and host of the hit YouTube channel Into the Fog, to the show. Peter is an ordained minister, but he is known for his deep dive into the darkest corners of human fascination.In this deep philosophical and psychological episode, we discuss the core thesis of his acclaimed non-fiction book, The Frighteners, and why our interest in the macabre, true crime, and horror films is not just acceptable, but actually a healthy way to process our mortality and fears.In This Discussion, The Wyrdo's Ask Peter:The Frighteners Thesis: Why being a "professional nice guy" who works in a church can also mean celebrating the darkness, and why that isn't hypocritical.Horror and the Divine: Why Peter believes God is interested in (or even amused by) humanity's fascination with the dark, given how shocking and grotesque the Bible's own imagery can be.The Paranormal is Real: Peter's conviction that due to countless witness accounts (including his own) and compelling historical cases like the Sauquhar Poltergeist (where a school desk allegedly levitated), we are genuinely encountering things that exist beyond material reality.Faith vs. Ghosts: How the existence of ghosts doesn't necessarily contradict faith, exploring ideas like Catholic purgatory, the biblical appearance of the dead (Moses and Samuel), and the theory of seeing a glimpse of God's eternal mind (a religious take on time slips).The Hyper-Reality of Heaven: The fascinating C.S. Lewis concept that heaven might be more real than our current world, explaining why a resurrected body could walk through walls because it was more real than the door.The Importance of Humour: Why dark humour is a vital coping mechanism similar to horror, and why we can laugh in the face of anxiety to "domesticate and travel through the darkness."Integrity and Exorcism: Peter's refusal to become a TV exorcist or paranormal investigator, and why he prefers the open-minded, journalistic approach of presenting witness accounts. Peter Laws's Top 5 Horror FilmsPeter shares his go-to films, including a few surprises that focus on psychological dread:Dawn of the Dead (1978)The Changeling (1980)Re-Animator (1985)Night of the Demon (1957)Repulsion (1965)Where to Find Peter LawsWebsite: peterlaws.co.ukYouTube & Podcast: Into the Fog with Peter Laws (Also an expert on the BBC's Uncanny)Podcast (Archive): Creepy Cove Community Church at https://www.google.com/search?q=creepycove.comJoin the Wyrdo's for a reassuring and insightful conversation that proves your love of horror is completely normal.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to AfterWyrd, your regular dose of the weird news, strange history, and chaotic stories that don't fit anywhere else!Andy and Craig dive into a chaotic mix of prophecy, AI, and misidentified animals, including:The Lion-Mouse: A terrifying big cat sighting in County Clare, Ireland, is solved by the Gardai... and the culprit is not a lion, but a friendly dog named Mouse who had a bad haircut.The Psychic Premonition: A family leaves their dream house after their young children declare it "extremely haunted," only for the house to be wiped clean off the face of the earth by a tornado.The Alleged Act of Dog: A Pennsylvania man is hospitalised after his own dog, allegedly, fires a loaded shotgun into his back.The AI Mind-Reader: Digital telepathy is here! We discuss the terrifying new AI that can read your thoughts using MRI scans and whether Minority Report is becoming a reality.Chernobyl's Blue Dogs: The bizarre case of the dogs running around the exclusion zone turning an unnatural shade of blue.Plus, we talk Marmite cups, porta-loo disasters, and the terrifying weaponisation of drones.Main Episode PromoTune in next week for our main episode where we have a fantastic, long interview with the Reverend Peter Laws, discussing the morbid desire for true crime and horror!Thank you for listening!"Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, kept a calcified human heart wrapped in poetry in her desk drawer for decades?In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we uncover the dark, gothic, and completely unexpected history of the South Coast. Far from just being a seaside resort, this area was the playground of the "Smuggler King" Isaac Gulliver—a man so brazen he faked his own death to fool the authorities—and is now the final resting place of literary giants.From the chilling ghost of a Headless Maharaja to the tragic lovers of Poole Harbour, we explore the strange folklore and history buried beneath the sand.In this episode:The Gothic Secret: The true story of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s heart, snatched from a funeral pyre and hidden by the author of Frankenstein.The Smuggler King: How Isaac Gulliver built a criminal empire, used secret tunnels, and staged his own funeral to escape the law.Haunted History: The World War I ghosts of the Town Hall and the bizarre tale of the Headless Moaning Maharaja.The Ghosts of Poole: The tragic suicide pact at the King Charles Inn and the phantom who vanishes in a hotel toilet.Wyrd Wildlife: The legend of the Portland "Merchicken" and the Boscombe Whale. Stay Wyrd.www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig kicks off the show by proudly detailing his latest bookish adventures—a truly covetous purchase of a classic English folklore tome that he justified as a "medium rare" find. This segues perfectly into a spontaneous London trip that led to an encounter with disembodied footsteps in a dark room, and the cryptic message: "The owls are not what they seem."Wyrd News: The Grab-Bag of the InexplicableBig Cat on the Line: We investigate the bombshell claim that Emma spotted a large black cat stalking the hedgerows near the railway line between Swindon and London on November 1st. Was it a genuine feral feline, or something far more legendary?Future Memory Glitch: We look into the theory that your gut feelings and déjà vu are actually memories pulled back from the future, courtesy of non-linear consciousness theories.Desert Dumping & Afterlife Woes: We tackle the dark news of 300+ piles of human ashes dumped in the Nevada desert, contrasting it with a deeply personal tale of a near-death experience involving a father who claimed heaven isn't real and that his grandson is his reincarnation.USO Swarm: We look into reports of nearly 9,000 Unidentified Submersible Objects (USOs) operating off the US coastlines, moving at impossible speeds and threatening maritime security.The Kevin James Imposter: We deep-dive into the TikTok phenomenon of art teacher Matt Taylor, who looks and sounds exactly like Kevin James, and whether this is a highly elaborate promotion for his new film, Solo Mio."Don't blame the owls!"www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know the King of Great Britain was personally convinced that Satan was sending assassins to murder him and his Queen?In this harrowing episode of Wyrd Wessex, we dive into the paranoid mind of King James I and the destructive book he wrote, Daemonologie. Driven by his own trauma after surviving a supposed witchcraft attack at sea, James crafted a manual that turned folk healers into high-treason enemies and justified the use of barbaric torture. We track the dark, bloody legacy of his obsession from the North Berwick trials to the final days of the infamous Witchfinder General.In this episode, we discuss sensitive historical details, including graphic descriptions of torture methods and executions.The Horrors We Uncover:The Royal Target: How the North Berwick coven’s supposed attack on the King and Queen's ship convinced James that the Devil was trying to seize his throne.The King's Torture Chamber: The precise, graphic details of the torture used to secure confessions, including the pilliwinks (finger-crushers), the scold’s bridle, and the boot that broke bones.The Devil's Kiss: The disturbing and degrading sexualised details forced from victims, such as the Osculum Infame (Kiss of Shame) and the search for the Witches’ Mark.The Witchfinder General: The monstrous, exploitative career of Matthew Hopkins, who used James's laws to send hundreds to the gallows during the English Civil War.The Final Victim: The incredible story of Helen Duncan, the last person jailed under the archaic Witchcraft Act in 1944, over three centuries after James I'd reign.Did you know? James I’s book was written as a direct counter-attack against sceptical scholars who believed witchcraft was nonsense.Listen to the full episode now to understand the terrifying human cost of one man's fear.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Emma & Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wyrdo's are back with a bizarre, unholy, and downright weird edition of AfterWyrd.Craig kicks off by proudly detailing his latest bookish adventures—a truly covetous purchase of a classic English folklore tome that he justified as a "charity donation." This segues perfectly into an eye-watering discussion on holy oil and the unusual history of Christian relics, including the rather infamous first-class relic, The Holy Prepuce.Wyrd News: The Grab-Bag of the InexplicableMiraculous Myrrh & Roses: We investigate the claim that a cheap, mass-produced icon of Jesus has been oozing a sticky, fragrant resin since 1997, leading to multiple reported miracles.Tesla vs. The Dearly Departed: We look into the viral story of a driver whose Tesla's system apparently started rendering phantom figures while driving through a cemetery. Is it an algorithm glitch, or are the sensors picking up on the spirits of the dead?The Jamaica Inn Whistle: A quick report from the UK's most haunted hotel, where a recent reviewer reported hearing an unexplainable, loud male whistle in the dead of night.Rectal Respiration: In the weird science segment, we report on the incredible news that scientists are testing the safety of a method that could allow humans to breathe through their backsides.The Alien Comet: We tackle the sensational headlines surrounding the Manhattan-sized Comet 31 Atlas and the claim it might be hostile alien technology—and why its expected arrival date is being sensationalised."Don't blame the owls!"www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Wyrd Wessex dives past the bonfires and Guy Fawkes effigies to reveal the true, dark, and desperate story of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. We uncover the horrifying religious persecution that turned a Protestant boy into a soldier prepared to commit high treason. We found enough gunpowder to blow up Parliament 25 times over...In This Episode, The Wyrdo's Detail:The Shocking Conversion: The horrific event that changed Fawkes's life: the public execution of Margaret Clitherow, who was publicly crushed to death under 800 pounds of stone for her faith.The True Mastermind: Why Fawkes was not the architect of the plot, but an explosives expert hired by the radical Robert Catesby.The Torture of 'The Devil of the Vault': The terrifying interrogation in the Tower of London, including the use of The Rack, which stretched Fawkes's body until his joints popped and sinews snapped.The King's Sentence: The full, gruesome sentence for treason: being hanged, drawn, and quartered, and why Fawkes's final moments on the scaffold saved him from the worst of the torture.History Written by the Victors: The fate of the conspirators, including the perplexing death of Francis Tresham, and why Fawkes remains remembered as a monster rather than a man of conviction, even inspiring the masked icon of V for Vendetta.Join us as we explore the turbulent times of King James I, the Jesuit spies, and the religious fanaticism that nearly brought the entire government to ruin.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Wyrdo's toss out the trick-or-treating in favor of a full-scale Cryptid Tournament, battling the world’s most dangerous and bizarre creatures against each other to crown a single champion.Using a custom deck of cards (blame the manufacturer!), we dive deep into the stats and lore to decide who would win in a fight.The Combatants & The LoreThe Shadow People: We explore the terrifying lore of these silent, stalking figures.El Silbón (The Whistler): The horrifying origin of the Venezuelan spirit who carries a bag of bones and signals his arrival with a whistle.The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp: We examine the repulsive aggression of this car-smashing South Carolinian beast.The Controversial FinaleThe chaos culminates in a shocking final round between the venomous Mongolian Death Worm and one of the biggest legends in American folklore. The battle ends in a dramatic tie—forcing us to bring in a secret, scythe-wielding Wildcard to decide the winner.Was the final truly fair, or was the whole thing a plot to crown a certain, chaotic winner? We leave it for you to judge the stats.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the finale of Season Two and the Wyrdo's are fitting in all the wyrd news, strange stories, and other bits they couldn't squeeze into the main episodes!The Ghostwatch Deep Dive (1992)We launch into a deep dive on Ghostwatch (1992), discussing how this unsettling BBC programme, inspired by the Enfield Poltergeist, masterfully used trusted presenters like Michael Parkinson and Craig Charles to blur the lines between reality and fiction.We explore the tragic real-world aftermath, the 30,000 complaints (including Michael Parkinson's own mother!), the show's undeniable influence on the found-footage genre (right up to the acclaimed film Host), and Craig's efforts to track down Stephen Volk's elusive sequel short story, "31/10".Wyrd News: Conspiracy, Contact, & Controversial ParentingThe Synth-Prime Minister: Andy introduces the bizarre Daily Star headline based on an alleged Google AI theory: that Keir Starmer is a 'synth construct alien' sent to Earth to ensure Galactic Law.Bored Aliens: We look at a related story from The Guardian pondering if intelligent life has simply got bored of trying to contact our planet.Costume Controversy: Andy offers a quick-fire Wyrd item about a mother dressing her child as Ed Gein for a school bash.Ghostly Final Evidence: The episode wraps up with a ghostly final piece of evidence: eerie Ring doorbell footage that, in our opinion, definitely proves the existence of ghosts."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Wyrdo's dive head-first into the most famous, controversial, and thoroughly documented haunting in British history: The Enfield Poltergeist of 1977.We go back to the original source, Guy Lyon Playfair’s This House is Haunted, to track the phenomena right from the first knocks on the party wall in the Hodgsons’ quiet council house.The Core PhenomenaWe track the bizarre events, from objects flying—including that infamous, skull-cracking Lego brick—to the guttural, deep male voice recorded by investigators.We explore the bizarre evidence that split the world between paranormal enthusiasts and hardened skeptics.The Investigation & The Wyrd ConclusionWe discuss the desperate personal motivation of investigator Maurice Grosse, the bizarre spiritualists who offered diagnoses of leaking 'Orick Fields', and the undeniable truth that the haunting stopped the moment the family moved out.Finally, we wrap up with the Block Universe Theory, suggesting that perhaps the living were haunting the past, caught in a shared, tragic loop with the deceased. Was it a genuine entity, the greatest hoax, or a tragedy of mass hysteria? We leave it for you to decide.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wyrdo's kick off with a quick mention of Craig's recent birthday, which leads to a discussion of his weird-themed gifts. The segment wraps with a piece of personal Wyrd News: Craig’s daughter's early morning sighting of a shadow figure in the house, proving the strange is never far from home.Bizarre Headlines & CalamityThe Great Halloween Décor Debate: We discuss a man whose elaborate, screaming torso decoration was deemed "too scary" for a quiet American neighbourhood, sparking a debate on Halloween etiquette.Minion & Cola Calamity: We tackle a series of bizarre UK headlines, including a Despicable Minion causing a catastrophic blockage in a Sheffield toilet and a three-day, three-kilogram cola bottle sweet binge that landed a Barnsley man in hospital.Genetic Secrets & PropheciesTrump & Ancient Prophecy: Andy recounts a story about a resurfaced Hoppe tribal prophecy mentioning a mysterious, world-changing figure wearing a "red cap".The Alien DNA Hypothesis: We dive into the most controversial piece of news: an un-peer-reviewed study claiming that Alien DNA may have been inserted into the human genome, potentially leading to neurodivergent traits and abilities like telepathy.Occult Exhibit: Craig flags an upcoming London occult exhibition featuring a ceremonial staff belonging to Aleister Crowley and authentic African Voodoo objects.The Great County Haunting CountAndy concludes the episode with a triumphant, yet aggrieved, piece of news: an updated list of the most haunted counties in the UK by the Paranormal Database. Craig expresses outrage at Dorset's middling position and questions the methodology, arguing that crop circles and alien behaviour are simply not hauntings."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are monsters simply things to be feared, or do they hold a mirror to humanity? This week on Wyrd Wessex, hosts Andy and Craig sit down with acclaimed author and travel writer Nicholas Jubber, to discuss his latest book, Monsterland.In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking interview, Nick takes us on a journey across a dozen countries to understand the true purpose of the creatures we fear.Travel & The Serbian VampireNick shares remarkable stories from his travels, including his chilling decision to spend the night in an abandoned mill said to be haunted by a Serbian vampire.The conversation gets personal when the Wyrdo's share their own unnerving experience camping next to Vixen Tor on Dartmoor, a place steeped in folklore and a truly eerie mist.Monsters as a MirrorWe explore how monsters are a reflection of our societal anxieties and our own inner psyche, from the ancient giant Humbaba to the terrifying legend of the Rougarou.Evolution & Empathy: The discussion reveals a surprising sympathy for creatures like Frankenstein's monster and the Cornish giant Bolster, and we discover how our attitudes towards these creatures have evolved throughout history, from ugly devils to magnificent, aristocratic dragons.Closing & InformationFind our bonus content on the AfterWyrd podcast!Find out more about Nicholas Jubber and his work: www.nickjubber.com Instagram: @nickjubberStay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten & hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig Brooks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The show kicks off with Craig's recording space, dubbed The AfterWyrd Library, showcasing a new, custom-made owl. The talk quickly turns to Halloween, Craig's partner Becky's Ekba doll costume, and the creepy doll customisations in his window that are now terrifying local wildlife. The segment concludes with a discussion on the enduring, yet debunked, urban myth of razor blades in apples.Amelia Earhart: Declassified Files & The Smoking GunAndy introduces a topical, wyrd news story: President Trump's sudden move to declassify secret government records related to the 1937 disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. The Wyrdo's revisit the horrifying, plausible theory that Earhart survived a crash landing on a remote island, only to be consumed by giant land crabs.Andy follows up with a related story, providing potential "smoking gun" proof: Aerial footage from 1938 that shows a "strange metallic object" in a lagoon on the island of Nikumaroro. An expedition is due to set off to investigate this object, believed to be the main body and tail of the legendary Lockheed 10E Electra.Malicious Odours and Cosmic FibresCraig introduces a light-hearted, yet costly, story from South Carolina about a teaching assistant who was arrested for repeatedly using a fart spray in his high school. This leads to a bizarre historical footnote: the deadliest fart in history—a Roman soldier's indecent gesture in a sacred temple in 570 BC that triggered a riot and resulted in over 10,000 deaths.Craig offers two quick-fire weird news items: an update on the menacing 31 Atlas Comet that is now confirmed to be much bigger than originally thought, and the shocking news that children's TV star Paul Chuckle (of the Chuckle Brothers) has gone hard man gangster, swapping slapstick for gruesome hits as "The Jackal" in a new mobster movie, Fall to the Top.Andy’s final piece of weird news concerns a giant hairy object that smashed into a farm in Argentina. The carbon fibre cylinder, potentially space junk, baffled experts due to its peculiar covering of black, hair-like fibres.TV Legends and The Unquiet DeadCraig wraps up with a perfect spooky season story: the ghost of TV legend Sir Bruce Forsyth is allegedly haunting the London Palladium. A paranormal specialist named Brocard claims she heard his famous catchphrase echoing in the theatre. Craig triumphantly confirms that Brocard’s ghost husband, Edwardo (a 'devilishly handsome Victorian soldier'), had indeed been divorced after less than a year."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahoy there, Wyrdos! This week on Wyrd Wessex, we're casting off from the safety of the shore and sailing head-first into the chilling world of ghost ships. We explore the vessels that vanished without a trace, only to be found centuries later with their crews mysteriously gone.Vanished Crews and Unsinkable MysteriesWe dive deep into historical maritime mysteries, including the eternally fascinating case of the Mary Celeste, the famed brigantine found sailing perfectly intact but utterly abandoned in 1872. We explore the fate of the unsinkable MV Joyita, and the bizarre story of a decades-long sailing "zombie ship" found far from its home port. We question the reasons behind these impossible disappearances and the disturbing clues left behind.Cursed Voyages and Phantom VesselsFrom historical facts, we move into the chilling heart of nautical legends and true folklore. We investigate the legendary curses of the Flying Dutchman, the tragic, repeating loop of the Lady Lovibond shipwreck, and the fiery phantom that has haunted the Northumberland Strait for over 200 years. Were these ships cursed by fate and the sea itself, or is there a genuine, though currently unexplainable, scientific phenomenon behind these repeated sightings?Join us as we explore stories of phantom vessels, impossible vanishings, and chilling curses that will make you think twice about sailing the high seas.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Craig (or are they two Mr. Ballens?) are back with another collection of strange news and oddities that didn't quite make it into the main Wyrd Wessex podcast. From East Yorkshire's Bermuda Triangle to prize-winning weird science, it's all here.East Yorkshire's Triangle of Terror We investigate the Wold Newton Triangle, a small corner of East Yorkshire plagued by high strangeness. We discuss reports of werewolves, dragons, and a legendary screaming skull. Can Wessex compete with its own Bermuda Triangle of folklore?Weird Science & The Ninja Squirrel The Wyrdo's celebrate the return of the Ig Nobel Prize, the annual award for truly bizarre scientific research. We find out which team won for painting zebra-like stripes on cows and explore the surprising link between booze and linguistics.In the news in brief, we rapid-fire through headlines on massive Ozzy Osbourne tributes and the shrinking of British conkers. We also cover the brutal, out-of-nowhere attacks of an "evil ninja squirrel" that has terrorized a neighborhood.Holy Water & UFO Mysteries Andy discusses the River Jordan water with a Catholic friend to determine if it is truly "holy water." The answer is complicated and leads to a discussion on blessings and flowing rivers.Finally, we look at a compelling case of an unidentified falling object that smashed into a New Jersey building, caused a flash and a boom, and then vanished from the scene. What on Earth—or not on Earth—was it?"Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.