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Weird in the Wade

Weird in the Wade

By: Natalie Doig
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Do you like your spooky stories with some historical context? Do you like your history with a pinch of the paranormal? Then Weird in the Wade is the podcast for you. Weird in the Wade is about all that’s weird, wonderful and a little off kilter in a small English town called Biggleswade and its surrounding area. Each episode we explore a story that will make you pause and ponder, whether its a haunting, flying saucers, witches, poisoners or body snatchers. Social history meets the unexplained in Weird in the Wade.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • 48 Fierce Fen Folklore For LGBTQ+ Pride

    48 Fierce Fen Folklore For LGBTQ+ Pride
    Jul 6 2026
    ***Weird in the Wade Presents: Bedfordshire's Dark History at Bed Fringe, 25th July at 2pm. Grab tickets here: https://bedfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873684599 *** In a celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Nat explores why the queer community has an affinity with the magical, otherworldly and supernatural. She uncovers the history of one of the UK’s oldest, continuously run safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, the Barley Mow pub in Bedford. With the help of it’s current manager Ryan, Nat explores its fascinating history and evolution as an inclusive space. The venue also has a darker past with its association with Bedford Gaol which stands opposite. Nat also chats with James Chantry an artist and academic who explores queer identity through art, the environment and folktales in the Lincolnshire fens. The episode starts with a retelling of the folktale “The Tiddy Mun,” an unusual tale which Nat and James discuss in detail. Check out weirdinthewade.blog for show notes and links, as well as a recommended reading and listening list for LGBTQ+ history and folklore. Want ad free episodes and bonus content, sign up to Weird in the Wade's patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade Got a comment or a suggestion? Get in touch with Nat on weirdinthewade@gmail.com or @weirdinthewade on social media. Thank you to Ryan at the Barley Mow and James Chantry for their time and expertise. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and Stay Off The Tracks by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Top Secret Tempsford: WW2 and 21st Century ghosts

    Top Secret Tempsford: WW2 and 21st Century ghosts
    Jun 1 2026
    After exploring the 1840s haunting of Tempsford Hall Nat delves into the 20th and 21st century history of the hall. On the eve of the 20th century Tempsford Hall suffered a devastating fire where extreme bravery was shown by the residents, visitor, and servants of the Hall. Tempsford is probably most famous today for its role in the second world war. A top-secret role involving espionage, and resistance fighters. Nat explores the history of the Special Operations Executive and the memorial barn at Gibraltar Farm just west of Tempsford Hall today. Nat focuses on the experiences of two SOE operatives Pearl Witherington and Noor Inayat Khan. Women who bravely fought against the nazi’s in occupied France. Finally, Nat looks at the more recent haunted history of Tempsford Hall and the village in general including an experience sent in by a listener who lived in Tempsford recently. Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for photos, videos and links to further reading. Voice actors for this episode are: Tess Savigear as Millicent and the nurse Owen Staton as Bulkeley Hughes Bryan Bland as the Major Additional research by Aisling McCrudden Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear Weird in the Wade is on a short break until 6th July 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 46 A Haunting At Tempsford Hall

    46 A Haunting At Tempsford Hall
    May 11 2026
    Whist researching Tempsford’s World War 2 history Nat discovered a dossier of evidence about a haunting. A haunting that happened a hundred years before the second world war. The statements were gathered by Anne Lucinda Elliott, lady of the manor at Tempsford Hall from 1844 -48. They document four years of disturbing and unusual sounds, sights and experiences at the hall. The witnesses are many, including Mr and Mrs Elliott, their guests, servants and even a police constable who was recruited to investigate the unusual and uncomfortable activity at the hall. Nat also explores Tempsford’s social history, which could have affected the family’s response to this apparent haunting. There were riots both drunken and violent, poaching and sheep stealing around this time in Tempsford. Is this haunting connected to paranormal activity reported at the hall in the 20th century? Could it also be linked to the secret history of Tempsford and its wartime importance? The next episode of weird in the wade will explore this side of Tempsford’s past and the invaluable contribution women in the Special Operations Executive made to the fight against nazi Germany. Find show notes and photographs on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog Go ad free, get extra content and support the show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade Thank you to the Bedfordshire Archives. Thank you to all the wonderful voice actors in this episode Bryan Bland Emily Elle Watts Tess Savigear Rhiannon Barrow Steph Lay Mikey Doyle And Olie Campbell Researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and haunted house theme by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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All stars
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love the narration style and the historical background for the stories. Really enjoyed this pod cast.

beautifully narated spooky history tales

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I found this podcast via Uncanny & so pleased I did. The tales are a mixture of paranormal, weird, folk law, witches & history. I love the historical background to all the stories and Nat’s interpretation of them, there’s a listen for everyone. And it’s not necessary to come from that part of the country to enjoy them, the stories aren’t all based in Biggleswade. However I do have a small connection to that area living in Baldock for a while many moons ago. Thoroughly recommend.

A brilliant array of weird, eerie, historic tales.

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Beautifully read and lots of variety in the stories. Very well researched too! I look forward to every episode.

Spooky and atmospheric!

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