Hypnogoria

In the second part of our very special Christmas series, we further investigate the origins of Santa Claus, exploring the life and legend of St. Nicholas, his role in the tradition of Christmas presents, the assorted magical gift bringers he transmuted into in Europe, bring light to the dark rumours of Krampus and satanic Santas, and examine the forgotten alternative American Santa Belsnickel

'Tis the Yuletide, and hence once again it's time to gather round the fireside of the Great Library of Dreams for a selection of ghost stories to haunt your nights before Christmas. We open this festive season's round of eerie readings with a witty tale that pays homage to the great MR James and raises a Christmas spirit or two!

In this first in a series of Christmas specials, Mr Jim Moon sets off in search of Santa. Travelling down the centuries in a borrowed magic sleigh, we bust some myths about the Bearded Gentleman himself, before uncovering the roles played by the poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, the writings of Mr Washington Irving, and the drawings of Mr Thomas Nast in the development of legend of Santa Claus.

As it is that time of the year again, and the wolves are running once more, Odile and Jim take a look at a classic children's book with a festive theme - John Masefield's The Box of Delights. Hurry along now - time and tide and buttered eggs wait for no man!

In this special festive episode, Mr Jim Moon explores the legends and lore surrounding that favourite Christmas bird, the robin redbreast. We learn of superstitions and old tales of the robin, and discover some interesting links with the tale of Babes in the Wood, pantomimes, ghost stories, MR James and other many other fascinating and festive things!

From the cosy fireside in the Great Library of Dreams, Mr Jim Moon takes us on a trip into Lovecraft country, to the ancient town of Kingsport. Here we will meet The Terrible Old Man and pay a visit to The Strange High House in the Mist.

This week Mr Jim Moon turns back time, and takes a look back at the classic SF horror series Sapphire and Steel. Created by PJ Hammond and starring genre icons David McCallum and Joanna Lumley, this strange series thrilled, puzzled and frightening many a viewer back the early '80s and still haunts the dreams of many today...

In this show, Odile and Jim take a return trip to the fiction of Mr Mike Carey, and delve into the dark mysteries revealed in the first book in his Felix Castor series, The Devil You Know

In this episode Mr Jim Moon turns his attention to the final tome in the Usborne Supernatural Guides series from the late 1970s – Mysterious Powers & Strange Forces, and explores the likes of ESP, astral travel and pyramid power!

Just in time for Halloween, Mr Jim Moon reads an eerie tale by E Nesbit set upon that very night of nights! Be warned however, while E Nesbit is best remembered for her enchanting children's books, this is no fairy tale…