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.

Let’s return to Yarmouth! This mysterious tale takes us back to the churchyard of St Nicholas in Great Yarmouth, last known as the site of the heinous bodysnatchers of Episodes 13 & 14 (catch up why don’t you?). But today we aren’t concerned with snatchers, though we are concerned with bodies. Most particularly, the body of an Egyptian mummy, secreted away in a Yarmouth school. But with the onset of an unusual stench, what horrors are about to unfold?

The year is 1838 and all around Britain people are preparing to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. In Cambridge, this meant an enormous dinner on Parker’s Piece in the centre of the town, followed by what else but Rustic Sports! Listen in to discover who got to attend this fancy dinner, what they feasted on (HOW MANY loaves of bread and gallons of beer?!), and what manner of Rustic Sports took place. Spoiler - there are eels involved.

The second part of our exploration of the Panacea Society is here! In part 1 we learned about the lives of Mabel Barltrop and Joanna Southcott, and now it’s time to hear all about the lives of the Panaceans in their community in Albany Road, Bedford. Their somewhat unorthodox beliefs included the conviction that Octavia’s breath could cure all disease, that their gardens were in fact the location of the original Garden of Eden, and that it was very important to use the correct crockery and cutlery for each social occasion. And the cry goes up - open the box!

For more musings on the Society, and some photographs from my visit to the Panacea Museum in Bedford, head over to the Blog page and have a read.

Have you heard about the Panacea Society, the end of days and the transformation of society? No? Well my friends, now is your chance. Part 1 introduces two rather unusual women: Mabel Barltrop, middle class and middle aged, with a life marred by tragedy, and Joanna Southcott, stout visionary and proud owner of both a fine bonnet and a mysterious box of prophecies. Listen to discover what connects them, and hear how their fervent beliefs gave rise to the unorthodox credo of the Panaceans.

Along the way we drink a ‘Pink Panacea’ and Katy sneaks me a hated foodstuff in cocktail form. So sneaky.