Ryan Gilmartin, award winning actor and writer joins Dylan in the first 'Proper Chat' episode of Tales From The Otherwood.

Ryan talks about his theatrical show 'Henry VIII Used to Hate Us' a performance all about Lincolnshire history, music, food and folklore!

Both Dylan and Ryan discuss the magic of storytelling and theatre, how the folklore of your hometown can explain a lot about where you came from and how is it you never really appreciate where you are from until you've left it?

'Henry VIII Used to Hate Us’ begins its tour across Lincolnshire on Tuesday 10th June until Friday 27th June.  You can read more and get ticket details from: https://easternangles.co.uk/event/henry-viii-used-to-hate-us/

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Dylan takes a slightly different approach with this month's story. Firstly, he recorded this unscripted and secondly, rather than a chat regarding the folklore around the Wise Men of Gotham, he incorporates the folklore into the story. 

In the time of King John, two envoymen ride ahead to explore the Nottinghamshire village of Gotham (It's said "Go-tum" around here!) to make sure it is safe for HRH to travel through safely.... what they weren't prepared for were people trying to capture summer-bringing birds, people rolling cheese wheels down hills and people trying an eel in court.... you have been warned!   

Washington Irving himself was inspired by these very tales! Will you be?

Also, if you quite like this format (or not) of being unscripted and mixing folklore into the story, please let me know! 

This episode also contains blatant advertising for the Storytellers of Nottingham.... especially as he performed this very story with them back in early April. 

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Due to technical issues, this episode is out late- better late than never! In this month’s episode Dylan reads the two poems inspired by the events of the Gamesters. That’s right, this is a sequel episode! 

Thomas Hardwicke Rawnsley’s ‘The Three Revellers; or Impiety Punished- A Legend of Holbech- A True Story’ (Written around 1800):

https://tellinghistory.co.uk/content/three-revellers-or-impiety-punished-legend-holbech-true-story-thomas-hardwicke-rawnsley-1789

Eliza Cook’s ‘The Sacrilegious Gamesters’ (Written 1843).

https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/sacrilegious-gamesters#google_vignette

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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It’s an old classic- three men walk into a bar and decide to give their dead friend’s corpse one last card game- oh, wait! You mean you HAVEN’T heard that one? 

This Lincolnshire story was based on something that really happened! Despite being kept from the 18th Century press, it seems local gossip about the event not only inspired different versions but even two poems by classical writers in the 19th Century!

This month's chat discusses the multiple variations of this tale as well as the two poems inspired by the story..... or did they inspire the tale as it is known today? 

The following links were very helpful in my research:

https://www.heritagesouthholland.co.uk/article/the-tale-of-the-holbeach-gamesters/

https://lincolnshirefolktalesproject.com/2024/02/20/the-holbeach-gamesters/

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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We're back in Nottingham!  And a poor little girl is taken in by a witch.... what could  possibly go wrong?

This month's chat discusses East Midland folklore on cress, gooseberry bushes and apple trees;  what has the apple got to do with with both Halloween AND Christmas in Nottinghamshire?  You'll have to listen and find out!

Also, I shall be looking into the hypothesis of whether or not witches, fairies and ghosts are in fact the same thing.....

As promised in the episode, here is the link to my being interviewed by Owen Staton on his amazing podcast 'The Time Between Times': 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zUtuzfKtM2ZJPhqSWmpyg?si=ff8c9b233da94189

Wishing all of my listeners a Merry Midwinter, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  See you all in 2025.

Blessings of the season, 

Dylan. /|\

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Love conquers all..... or does it?  How can a simple and honest thing such as love destroy a whole town in Wales?
A whole episode as requested by regular listener, Nik.

This month's tale involves love, murder and, of course, a curse. 
This month's chat discusses the folklore associated with Kenfig and Kenfig Pool. 

If you'd like to learn more about the rich history of Kenfig, you can do so here: 
https://kenfigorg.wordpress.com/

And if you would like to know more about Kenfig Pool as a destination you can do so here: https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/nature-or-wildlife/kenfig-national-nature-reserve-917595

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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In this tale from the Ojibwe First Nation we encounter something that strikes fear even into the bravest of hearts.

When a warrior and his family are trying to survive a harsh winter, the warrior goes in search of food but encounters instead his worst fear: The Wendigo!  Which will kill him first: The oncoming snow storm or the man-eating spirit before him?

This story was selected by my good friend, fellow blogger and horror author Aspasia S. Bissas.  You can order her books online and please do visit her website for details: https://aspasiasbissas.com/

Warning: This episode contains details of a graphic nature and discusses cannibalism and murder, so is not recommended for younger listeners.  Parental discretion is advised. 

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In this Derbyshire set tale, a minister from Ashbourne makes his journey to carry on the Lord's Work despite the setbacks that have already presented themselves.  
Seeking shelter in a dilapidated house, the minister finds not all the residents are of this world....

This month's chat discusses not only fairy lore in Derbyshire, but as the story takes place on the last day of October, we also discuss Derbyshire customs on and around Halloween!

Yes, it is a bit strange discussing Halloween in July, but hey, who doesn't enjoy Halloween!?

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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This Northamptonshire tale is in regards of a very curious building called the Triangular Lodge.  On the grounds of Rushton Hall, it is in fact, younger than the hall itself.

However, this also means that because of its unusual shape, it has inspired many tales all of its own!

Towards the end of the 18th Century, the 6th Viscount Cullen is showing off his inherited home to a friend of his.... until the friend finds an entryway into a mysterious tunnel in the cellar of the lodge!  Who will go down and see what lies therein?

This month's chat discusses the lodge's curious origins and its connection to Catholicism and even the Gunpowder Plot!

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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I've always wanted to cover a vampire story..... and here it is!

Set in Hungary, 1725, the villagers of Medveða are being haunted by one of their own who died a sudden death!  Keeping one of the undead down is hard enough, what happens when others start being attacked?

The Chat section discusses the two government investigations that brought the "Vampire" to European infamy, it also challenges what we think we know about these blood sucking creatures and where our beliefs came from. 

WARNING:  Due to the graphic nature of some of the descriptions in this episode, you might want to make sure you are NOT eating whilst listening.  

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You can contact Dylan by email on:

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@tales_from_the_otherwood

Or even "Send Us a Text Message" link at the bottom of the description!

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