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

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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.

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.

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.