Weird in the Wade

It seems rather strange that two of the world’s most famous aviation mysteries originated in Bedfordshire, those of the Flying Duchess and Glenn Miller. Nat has always had a fascination with the Glenn Miller disappearance and that of Amelia Earhart, but the story of the flying Duchess was new to her, along with the ghost stories attached to the Duchess. In this episode Nat explores the pioneers of early flight and ponders why we are so fascinated by aviation mysteries and disappearances. You’ll hear from Adrian Perkins the Ghost Detective who leads ghost walks around Twinwood the former Airforce base that Glenn Miller’s last fateful flight took off from. Nat also speaks with one of the worlds if not the world’s leading authorities on Amelia Earhart, Chris Williamson from the Chasing Earhart project and podcast. Along the way Nat explores the V1 rockets terrorising London in the summer of 1944 and the important role Bedford played for the BBC in wartime. It’s a jam-packed episode before weird in the wade takes a short break. The podcast will return on Monday 26th October for a new series with a Halloween special. Listen to the end of the episode to find out more. Find further information and links for this episode on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog and keep in touch with Nat on social media @weirdinthewade Thank you to Adrian Perkins and Chris Williamson Thank you to Ash McCrudden for additional research for this episode. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can an historic poltergeist haunting cast light on the current phenomena affecting Andy’s house? We visited Andy’s house in the last episode. Nat uncovers the poltergeist story behind the 1994 newspaper headlines. She considers the historical context of the haunting, including the broadcast in 1992 of Ghostwatch. Nat also chats with Bethan Briggs-Miller of Eerie Essex podcast and co-founder of the East Anglian Folklore Centre about haunted houses and attending paranormal investigations. Nat also returns to Andy’s house, where what she hoped would be a simple update from Andy after the last show, turned into something slightly spookier. Make sure you listen until the end to catch this interview and some of the sounds captured in Andy’s house. You can find more information, show notes and photographs on the show blog: weirdinthewade.blog If you have a question or idea, please get in touch with Nat on [email protected] or on social media: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Thank you again to Andy for his time and for sharing his experiences. A huge thank you to Bethan Briggs-Miller for her time, expertise and experience. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Haunted House and weird in the wade theme are composed and performed by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quick trailer for the Return of Weird in the Wade, featuring a teaser of what to expect from the first new episode: What's Haunting Andy's House? Make sure you're subscribed to Weird in the Wade wherever you listen, so you don't miss an episode. Remember new episodes of Weird in the Wade will be released every two weeks from Monday 27th October 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a summer wander away from Biggleswade, Nat investigates one of the UK's strangest seasonal folk customs, the Burryman of Queensferry. For centuries a man covered from head to ankle in spiky burdock seedheads has walked along the banks of the Firth of Forth, bringing luck and banishing evil from the town. Uniquely Scottish, looking like a man covered in bees or a bear walking on his hind legs, scaring young children, but fascinating them all the same, the Burryman is a striking vision indeed. But as Nat joined the Burryman procession in 2024 she became intrigued by the origins of this custom, and what it means now to the community of Queensferry and beyond. With insights from the Burryman himself, his attendants and the team behind the procession and Queensferry's Ferry Fair, Nat pieces together the history of the Burryman and how he is inspiring folk from all around the world. Special thanks to Andrew (the Burryman,) his attendants Andrew and Duncan, and team, Claire, Erin, Doc and Paul for their time and expertise in this episode. Thank you to Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh for reading the article form the Dunfermline Press. Thank you to the Blue Moon Pickers for their live folk music which is included in this episode. And a huge thank you to Daniel Patrick Quinn for allowing me to use his wonderful track The Burryman (featuring Duncan Grahl,) Find out more about the Burryman and this episode on the show blog weridinthewade.blog Email Nat: [email protected] Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear All additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beneath the pretty market town of Royston in Hertfordshire, lies a cave that was carved out of the chalk by hand, in the distant past. After being dramatically rediscovered in the mid 18th century, Royston cave has spawned competing theories about its use and meaning and has been a tourist attraction ever since. Smothered in medieval carvings which in turn have been covered by more recent etched graffiti, this cave is unique in many ways. Linked to the Knights Templar by some, an important spiritual site to many, and an historical curiosity from the moment a small boy climbed down into the cave in 1742, to describe what he saw to the town’s folk eager for treasure. Nat is joined by Emma the current custodian of the cave, and Matt Champion an archaeologist who specialises in medieval graffiti, who has studied the cave extensively. Together they try to unravel the mystery that swirls around the site. Nat also speaks with Emma Butler of the RUE Papers podcast, about why we’re drawn to caves, and her experiences working at a very different cave in Yorkshire, that of Mother Shipton. Check out images and video of the cave at weirdinthewade.blog If you would like to get in touch with Nat, you can find her on social media @weirdinthewade or email at [email protected] Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music is by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices