Episodes

  • S2 Ep26: The Folklore of Bells

    S2 Ep26: The Folklore of Bells
    Dec 1 2024
    Good morning from the Norfolk Folklore Society!

    Today we are (b)ringing you a feast of folklore all about BELLS. From the ghostly chime of drowned bells beneath the sea to the eerie toll of phantom bells in Norfolk bogs, we’ve jingled and jangled through history to unearth the most enchanting bell lore (basically, Siofra bought a book on bells and they appear to be folklore MAGNETS). It’s an ap-peal-ing episode. Sorry.

    Bells have long been a part of Norfolk’s cultural landscape, from church towers to folklore. Whether marking joyous celebrations or mysterious warnings, they are a timeless connection to history, superstition and sound. And then there’s that Christmas song by The Darkness to contend with.

    So grab a cup of tea, settle into your cosiest chair, and let the Norfolk Folklore Society take you on a magical journey through the echoes of bell lore.

    Here’s what’s tolling in today’s episode:

    • Drowned Bells Beneath the Sea: Discover the eerie echoes of Norfolk’s lost village of Shipden, where legend says the church bells still ring from beneath the waves and more drowned bells around our coastline.

    • The Devil and the Tunstall Bells: A devilishly good tale of bells that caught the attention of Old Nick himself.

    • The Bell as Protector and Summoner: Learn how bells have been used to ward off storms, summon spirits, and mark the thin boundary between this world and the next.

    • Witch bells. Not which, witch. But also, which bells.

    • The Haunting Chime: Explore the fascinating duality of bells as symbols of celebration and omens of doom.
    Lots of love from Stacia and Siofra

    xxx
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    37 mins
  • S2 Ep25: Norfolk Folklore Society - The Old Man of Hopton

    S2 Ep25: Norfolk Folklore Society - The Old Man of Hopton
    Nov 1 2024
    Today we are talking about a particularly sinister apparition that stalks the Norfolk
    countryside, namely the Old Man of Hopton, who haunts a section of road close to the
    coast.

    In the Winter edition of Lantern (the wonderful publication from the brilliant Lowestoft-
    based Borderline Science Investigation Group) in 1980, the tale of a Lowestoft man on the new A12 Hopton Bypass was reported.
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    36 mins
  • S2 Ep24: Myth Country - Black Shuck encounters

    S2 Ep24: Myth Country - Black Shuck encounters
    Oct 4 2024
    In this episode we collect more accounts of Black Shuck encounters in Norfolk and Suffolk. The episode was recorded as part of Charlie Cooper's Myth Country, so welcome if you came across us from the Black Shuck episode. We hope you all enjoy this behind the scenes recording. We wanted to add a special thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us. We loved having you on the show.
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    54 mins
  • S2 Ep23: Dog-headed monk or a monk-headed dog?

    S2 Ep23: Dog-headed monk or a monk-headed dog?
    Jul 1 2024
    Today’s podcast is the NFS’s own version of the General Election and, as such, we get to the heart of a very pressing issue: whether a dog-headed monk or a monk-headed dog would be more terrifying to meet down a dark alley?

    For many years, the dog-headed monk/monk-headed dog conundrum has been our very own personal litmus test…but for the first time ever, our conviction that we knew the correct answer has been rocked. So, this episode is all about putting this issue to bed for once and all.

    Let it be said that we are in our monk/dog era.
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    36 mins
  • S2 Ep22: Norfolk & Norwich Festival - Dark Tales from the Guildhall

    S2 Ep22: Norfolk & Norwich Festival - Dark Tales from the Guildhall
    Jun 1 2024
    In the atmospheric setting of England’s largest and most elaborate provincial medieval city hall, wonderful tales were woven about Norwich’s dark past. We joined forces with performer Laura Cannell to create a magical night filled with tales of ghosts and witchcraft, secret tunnels and dreadful murders linked to this distinctive building in the heart of Norwich. We had a lot of fun that night and we hope you enjoy listening to the show!
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    58 mins
  • S2 Ep21: The witch of East Dereham

    S2 Ep21: The witch of East Dereham
    May 1 2024
    In this episode Siofra and Stacia explore the tale of Melvena Spinks, and alleged witch from East Dereham.
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    38 mins
  • S2 Ep20: Norfolk Folklore Presents Helen JR Bruce: Black Shuck, Gytrash and Grim, the Folkloric Black Dog as Death Omen and Guide

    S2 Ep20: Norfolk Folklore Presents Helen JR Bruce: Black Shuck, Gytrash and Grim, the Folkloric Black Dog as Death Omen and Guide
    Mar 14 2024
    Join the Norfolk Folklore Society as we introduce author, illustrator and folklorist Helen JR Bruce who will be diving into the rich folklore and mythology surrounding Black Dogs.

    Cover illustration - Shuck Zine / Matt Willis
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • S2 Ep19: A VERY haunted house at Thorpe Marriott

    S2 Ep19: A VERY haunted house at Thorpe Marriott
    Mar 1 2024
    This month we have a chat about a very haunted house in Thorpe Marriott. Inspired by the new BBC documentary about the Amityville Horror house, we searched our archives and dug out one of our creepiest stories to discuss.
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    50 mins