Weird in the Wade

By: Natalie Doig
  • Summary

  • 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.
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Episodes
  • Part Two: The Witches of Bedfordshire
    Mar 12 2025

    In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch.

    The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the satanic panic.

    Nat ponders whether we have moved far enough away from the causes and motivations of the 17th century witch trials. But ends the episode with a delightful piece of witch related folklore.

    This episode contains some descriptions of cruelty to animals but I give you a heads up before those sections.

    You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog

    Follow the podcast on social media via linktree

    Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon.

    Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

    Theme music and the track Wake Up are by Tess Savigear

    All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound.

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    43 mins
  • Part One: The Witches of Bedfordshire
    Mar 12 2025

    In this episode Nat takes you on a journey, exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from medieval times up until the late 18th century. Kicking off with a ghost story about a witch.

    This episode moves from what is possibly Bedfordshire's earliest record of witchcraft, to the witch trials of the 17th century and beyond. It seems even when persecuting witches was outlawed in 1735, the people of Bedfordshire persisted in attempting to punish those who they thought dabbled in magical harm.

    Part Two which is available now, which follows up from the 19th century to modern day.

    In this episode Dr Francis Young, provides his insight into 16th century religious and political matters.

    Tess Savigear voices an account of the "Dunstable witch," Elizabeth Pratt.

    Owen Staton voices an account of the "witch of Oakley."

    Matt Savigear voices the curious case of a husband and wife accused of witchcraft in Silsoe.

    You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog

    Follow the podcast on social media via linktree

    Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon.

    Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

    Theme music and the tracks, Wake Up and The Ladies Sutton are by Tess Savigear

    All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 25 Old Ragbones: Biggleswade's Unidentified Man
    Feb 26 2025

    As the missing person's charity, Locate International launch a fresh appeal into "Biggleswade Man" Nat takes a closer look at this missing persons, and unidentified body case.

    Even if you don't live in Biggleswade you could hold the key to solving this 28 year mystery.

    In February 1997 some schoolboys playing truant discovered the body of a homeless man. They recognised this man as "Old Ragbones," an itinerate tool sharpener.

    Old Ragbones attracted rumours in life and even more so in death. After 28 years he has still not been identified. Someone must know who he is. Somewhere a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend, even a colleague misses him and wonders what became of him. He may have had links to London and further afield. Listen to this fascinating episode and please share it with others. Do you hold the key to this man's identity?

    You can find more information and see images of our mystery man on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog

    Or visit Locate International's appeal: https://locate.international/appeals/biggleswade-man

    Thanks go out to the people of Biggleswade who shared information with me about their memories of this mysterious man. Especially Craig, Roy and Angela who shared statements with me.

    Voice acting in this episode is from Owen Staton and Paul Gledhill.

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins

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beautifully narated spooky history tales

love the narration style and the historical background for the stories. Really enjoyed this pod cast.

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