Ruth is Stranger Than Fiction

Happy new year my lovely eggs! Join us again for the first Mini Stranger of 2023 - the story of a strange spirit who haunted Dagworth Hall in Suffolk many years ago. ‘Play again! Play again!’ cries the tiny voice of little Malekin. Is he a run of the mill ghost? A changeling infant from the fairy realm? Or Britain’s first recorded poltergeist?

Part 2 of our enquiry into the Peasenhall mystery brings us to the trial of alleged smooth caramel man (and alleged murderer!), William Gardiner. But was it William who killed Rose Harsent on that stormy, fateful night? We recap the evidence and hear all about the trial, with some small tangents including: could Jeeves and Wooster ever be remade with a new duo? And what would your crisp name be (I’m Ruth Wotsit, apparently)?

May 31st, 1902 in the small village of Peasenhall, Suffolk. A dark and very stormy night was about to unfold, and by the end of it servant girl Rose Harsent would be dead in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor. Suspicion immediately turned to local foreman, religious enthusiast, and proud beard-wearer William Gardiner - but were the accusations based in firm evidence, or unfounded local gossip? Katy and Jo join Ruth as they try to piece together the clues, including a broken medicine bottle, a bundle of correspondence, and some shocking autopsy results. We drink a smorgasbord of concoctions involving peas, caramel, and Lidl’s finest ‘Bitterol.’

Peasenhall village sign photograph copyright Adrian Cable.

The golden hare has been discovered and the story of Masquerade seems to be over - but is it? No! There are more twists and turns to come. First up, we hear about the legacy of Masquerade and the rise in popularity of armchair treasure hunts. Then, scandal unfolds after the precious hare comes to light at a Sotheby’s auction in 1988… we also drink a surprisingly tasty (aren’t they always?) herby concoction. Delicious!

Photo: CSIRO

In 1979 a storybook was published that took the UK by storm. But this was no ordinary children’s tale! The pages of Masquerade by Kit Williams gave clues to the secret location of a hidden treasure: a beautiful bejewelled hare crafted from gold. It’s a world of mystery and wonder in Part 1 as we explore the origins and artwork of this unique book. Would anyone unravel the fiendish puzzles and locate the prize?

Geldeston, Norfolk! One of the more haunted villages in the region. For this mini episode we’re revisiting M.H. James’s book, Bogie Tales of East Anglia, to hear of three new bogies. Tune in and listen for supernatural scares with the Bigod Barons (aka ghosts on wheels), the skeleton of the horse pond, and the horribly named the Hateful Thing. If there is one lesson we’ve learned it’s this: don’t go down that lover’s lane!

On May 23rd 2022 we were honoured to present a special live event at the Museum of Cambridge. Listen now for an introduction to the Society for Psychical Research, founded in 1888 to use scientific methods to investigate such strange goings on as telepathy, ghostly occurrences, spiritualism, and ectoplasmic manifestations. Meet founding members Henry Sidgwick, Frederic Myers, and Edmund Gurney, and hear about the seances of Italian medium Eusapia Palladino, held at Leckhampton House in Cambridge. Thanks to everyone who joined us for a wonderful evening!

To see the slides shared on the evening, including the impressive facial hair of the SPR’s founding members, please go to this blog page.

It’s time for Part 2 of our investigation into the rotters Hopkins and Sterne. Heady from their victory at Manningtree, the witchfinding duo turn their sights on the rest of East Anglia. Oh, poor East Anglia! In this concluding part, we hear about an unusual burning, the persecution of clergyman John Lowes, and the ultimate demise of horrible Hopkins.

Puritanical, God-fearing zealot or manipulative, money-grabbing hypocrite? Who cares, we hate him either way! The time has come to hear about the rotter Matthew Hopkins, self-styled ‘Witchfinder General’ and all round total bastard. We must also hear about John Stearne, Hopkins’ partner in crime who has somehow escaped the notoriety of his more bombastic pal. Rotters both! We explore the 1645 witch hunts in Manningtree, discuss the 1968 folk horror film which has done so much to shape Hopkins in the popular consciousness, and drink a selection of appropriately (mostly) named ales. And, of course, much more.

On a grassy hillside near the village of Bures on the Suffolk/Essex border you will find a mighty beast - the white dragon of Bures! While this one is made from chalk, behind it lies the story of a fearsome creature that terrorised the land many centuries ago. We’re joined by one-time Bures resident and finger-knitting legend Rosie O’Donovan to hear about the tale of the Bures Dragon. Cocktails this time around are tequila-heavy (perhaps unwisely so) - a White Dragon and a Dragon’s Heart.