Ruth is Stranger Than Fiction

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.

This time we’re tackling one of the big boys of East Anglian lore - perhaps the biggest boy there is! It’s the legend of Tom Hickathrift, the giant of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Known for his amazing feats of strength and bravery (and possibly his drinking ability), Tom has stomped his way through the oral history and folklore of the region for many a year. Katy brings a giant sized breakfast drink (surprisingly meaty) and new guest Rob Levy creates our punniest cocktail yet. Can we muddle our way through the stories and booze to find the truth behind the legend?

Illustration by John D. Batten. From More English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs, first published in 1894.

This episode introduces us to mysterious Victorian writer M.H. James, author of Bogie Tales of East Anglia. A bit of background about this early tome of folklore is followed by one of it’s most unusual stories - that of Mary Chegriff, witch’s daughter. It features charms and potions, imps and mischief, and a rogueish fiddler called Lucky Chance. Plus, more unpleasantly, Mick Hucknall’s Pink Pancakes (with thanks to Charlie Brooker).

The town of Dunwich on the Suffolk coast is predominantly known, I’m afraid to say, for going in the sea. The sad and inexorable fate of this lost city of England has inspired cultural icons from H.P. Lovecraft to Brian Eno; W.G. Sebald to Lovejoy. Ruth and Chris explore how Dunwich went from a thriving and prosperous harbour town to a mournful collection of masonry beneath the cold waves of the North Sea. Farmland and fields? IN THE SEA. Several lovely churches? IN THE SEA. A Masonic temple? Well, the Dissolution of the Monasteries actually… and then, inevitably, IN THE SEA.

We also drink some courgette martinis!

What a story we have for you this time! Our new episode recounts the life of Margaret Catchpole - farm girl, heroine, criminal, and pioneer. Born in Suffolk in 1762, Margaret’s life was a rollercoaster of dramatic events, encompassing daring rescues, even more daring escapes, and an ill fated love affair with a smuggler named William Laud. Her story offers a rare insight into the life of an unorthodox woman living in the late 18th/early 19th century. Along the way we also meet brewing tsar ‘Big John’ Cobbold and his young wife Elizabeth, a pioneer of scientific endeavour in her own right.

Oh, and Katy is back! Yes, Katy joins us for this most exciting of tales, and we drink smuggler’s tea and a Horse’s Neck with a Kick cocktail. Fun all round!

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Wrestingworth, Bedfordshire. 1841. Something is amiss in the Dazley household! Join us for the tale of Sarah and William Dazley, and some mysterious goings on involving past husbands and a dead pig. As the story twists and turns we learn about the Marsh Test and developments in forensic toxicology, plus, perhaps surprisingly, the embalming of Abraham Lincoln. Delightful!

Tune in for a special Mini Stranger exploring some of the May Day traditions of Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. First, Ruth and Chris drink a locally sourced sloe gin fizz while learning about the significance of whitethorn, blackthorn, elder, and nettles in the old customs of Waterbeach. Then, a romp about the villages with Jack in the Green and the May Ladies. And finally, hear the rules of the strange old children’s game Honey Pots - who will scramble to the top of the pile for victory?

To make the sloe gin fizz, mix two parts sloe gin to one part lemon juice, one part sugar syrup, and if you fancy the foamy top, an egg white. Shake them up in a shaker with ice until your arms ache, then pour and top up with fizz of your choice. Delicious! You are now queen of the May!