Dark Darzet

Has anyone else noticed the show has become significantly more anarchic since Henry came on board? Well, buckle up, because as the cider starts flowing in this episode, the structure falls apart, what do you expect for free?!

In this instalment, we recap our journey making homemade cider and take you along for our very own Wassail! (Wassail!!!)

For those wondering why we were shouting at apple trees, the tradition of wassailing generally falls into two camps:

• The House-Visit: Traditionally held on the Twelfth Night (January 5th), people would go door-to-door with a communal bowl in exchange for gifts.
• The Orchard-Visit: This is the cider-country classic. We headed into the orchard to sing to the trees, a custom meant to ensure a massive harvest for the coming year.
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The word "wassail" comes from the Old Norse ves heill (Old English wes hál), literally translating to "be in good health." It started as a simple salutation like "hail" or "farewell,".

To round out the episode, you are treated to some live electronic music from Ross to keep the energy going.

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Ross was asked to do a talk on the history of Morris dancing for the fine men of West Stafford who are thinking about starting their own side. Not knowing anything about this didn’t stop him standing up and showing off for 20 minutes, armed only with Wikipedia, YouTube and ChatGPT, the traditional research materials. What follows is Ross’s own understanding of the subject, which may or may not be accurate. Hopefully this makes sense without the visual accompaniment, but if you would like to watch along, there is a copy of the presentation deck that you can view at your own leisure.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11aI_MQ-uxknR1lucg4e3oumz7k3cxAkqFf0jtK-lwH4/edit?usp=sharing

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After a sunny kayaking trip to the chalk stacks off Studland Bay, Ross and David brave the choppy waters to bring us tales of Old Harry Rocks – Dorset’s own gateway to hell. Once back on dry land (and mostly clothed), they’re joined online by Henry to explore the legends behind this striking landmark.

From the Poole pirate Harry Paye to smugglers’ caves, spectral bells and wartime wrecks, the trio pick through centuries of myth and mischief along the Purbeck coast. Expect talk of devils sleeping on cliffs, parsons blessing sea caves, and ships dashed to pieces in the dark.

Back at the virtual Dark Darzet Studios, the discussion drifts between folklore, local history, and questionable nautical knowledge – with a generous helping of chaos. Two out of three hosts weren’t wearing trousers, and quite a lot of farting had to be cut out in the edit.

All that, plus the usual meandering chat and unverified facts, in an episode recorded entirely online – because kayaking home with recording gear seemed like a terrible idea.

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This time, Henry, David, and Ross gather at Hardy's Monument, the sun sinking behind Black Down as they set off towards one of Dorset’s most mysterious ancient sites: the Hellstone on Portesham Hill.

Once a Neolithic long barrow, the Hellstone was reassembled in 1866 after its mighty capstone collapsed. But history isn’t the only thing lurking among the stones.

On the way back, as the shadows deepened and the air turned cold, they crossed paths with a man tormented by the presence of a large black dog. He spoke of other strange creatures seen roaming the darkness.

Music: Fantasy Overture by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Sound Effect by petrakwn and Gregor Quendelfrom Pixabay

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Join Henry, David, and Ross as they get increasingly sozzled at the Red Lion pub in Weymouth.

They originally set out to discuss the pub’s haunted history and the lifeboat disaster that launched from the station just around the corner. However, after too much rum, beer, wine, and whiskey, they ended up completely sidetracked, diving into the origins of nautical terms instead.

We can also heartily recommend the steak and chips—it might be the beer talking, but it's probably the nicest pub we've been to in Weymouth in ages. Highly recommended!

Grab your headphones, pour yourself a drink (or several), and enjoy this chaotic but entertaining virtual pub experience. Cheers!

https://theredlionweymouth.co.uk

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This Halloween, we created our own ghost walk around Dorchester, bringing along our partners and kids to explore the eerie local lore! Here are the spine-chilling stops we visited, each with a story from Dorchester's haunted history. Join us as we walk through these ghostly tales!

Maumbury Rings

Story by Ross

• The ancient grounds of Ghostly Romans and the legend of the Bleeding Phantom.

Antelope Walk

Story by Kate

• Tales of Judge Jeffreys sightings and the mysteries of Dorchester’s Haunted Tunnels.

Dorset Museum

Story by Caz

• The story of the Sobbing Lady, a spirit whose mournful presence lingers in the museum’s quiet halls.

Hangman’s Cottage

Story by Henry

• Henry tells the tale of the Drowned Prisoner’s vengeful spirit and the cottage’s grim history with the hangman himself.

The Town Pump

Story by David

• Sightings of the Faceless Boy near the old pump have spooked many over the years.

The Balti Express

Story by Becca

• Finally, the tragic tale of the Distraught Girl, a ghost said to haunt this unexpected place.

Walk Along With Us!

If you’re ever in Dorchester, you can follow the same route and listen along!

Here’s our route: Our Ghost Walk Route

Happy Hauntings! Listen if you dare.

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After a long summer break, the boys are back! In this episode, Ross and David take us on a journey to the mysterious Grey Mare and Her Colts, a megalithic chambered long barrow near Abbotsbury in Dorset. Built during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods, this ancient tomb holds secrets uncovered in the 19th century, including human remains and pottery fragments. The duo also visits the nearby Kingston Russell Stone Circle, also known as the Gorwell Circle.

Back at the Dark Darzet Studios, they’re joined by Henry to reflect on the field visit and dive into the folklore surrounding these two intriguing sites. They also catch up on some bizarre local news, including a new crop circle near Badbury Rings, the Neolithic burial site at Thomas Hardy’s former home in Dorchester, which was recently granted special protection as a scheduled monument on the advice of Historic England, and the temporary arrival of a second moon orbiting Earth.

All this, plus plenty of uninformed chatter, chaos, and fun as they return—now even less organized than ever!

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In this episode, David, Henry, and Ross embark on a journey between the imposing Corfe Castle and the idyllic coastal village of Studland. Along the way, they detour to uncover the shrouded secrets of Rempstone Stone Circle.

Nestled beneath a canopy of ancient holly and fir trees, the trio explores the weathered remains of this 4,000-5,000-year-old monument. Their exploration takes an unexpected turn as they encounter remnants of local tradition. They craft a symbolic "Green Man" offering and fling mud at a bewildered Ross.

Intrigued by the site's history, our intrepid hosts delve into local lore, unearthing whispers of magical rituals once performed by the infamous Aleister Crowley. Stay tuned for a discussion on whether "hung like a shew" is truly an insult or a peculiar compliment!

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Join Ross, David, and Henry for a chilling journey to Wareham, Dorset, where ancient traditions meet modern mysteries.

This episode delves into the intrigue of the Court Leet, a centuries-old legal system with eccentric roles like:

The Steward: The Lord's right-hand man, presiding over proceedings.

The Bailiff: Enacting the court's decisions.

The Reeve: The Bailiff's deputy.

Constable: Keeping order.

Carniters and Chimney Peeper: Ensuring the town's hygiene.

Scavenger: Battling unseen plagues in the town's alleys and privies.

But the darkness deepens with a recent ghost hunt in a local pub maybe linked to a shocking burglary at the historic church. Explosions rock the night as thieves make off with priceless treasures. Did they have spectral help, or is something more sinister at play?

Join the Dark Darzet crew as they:

Unravel the secrets of the Court Leet and its ghostly guardians.

Investigate the chilling ghost hunt and its paranormal encounters.

Piece together the clues behind the church burglary, a crime with explosive consequences.

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