Weird in the Wade

It seems rather strange that two of the world’s most famous aviation mysteries originated in Bedfordshire, those of the Flying Duchess and Glenn Miller. Nat has always had a fascination with the Glenn Miller disappearance and that of Amelia Earhart, but the story of the flying Duchess was new to her, along with the ghost stories attached to the Duchess.

In this episode Nat explores the pioneers of early flight and ponders why we are so fascinated by aviation mysteries and disappearances. You’ll hear from Adrian Perkins the Ghost Detective who leads ghost walks around Twinwood the former Airforce base that Glenn Miller’s last fateful flight took off from. Nat also speaks with one of the worlds if not the world’s leading authorities on Amelia Earhart, Chris Williamson from the Chasing Earhart project and podcast.

Along the way Nat explores the V1 rockets terrorising London in the summer of 1944 and the important role Bedford played for the BBC in wartime.

It’s a jam-packed episode before weird in the wade takes a short break. The podcast will return on Monday 26th October for a new series with a Halloween special. Listen to the end of the episode to find out more.

Find further information and links for this episode on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog and keep in touch with Nat on social media @weirdinthewade

Thank you to Adrian Perkins and Chris Williamson

Thank you to Ash McCrudden for additional research for this episode.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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In this final exploration of abandoned places Nat explores haunted hospitals. Busy thriving hospitals seem to attract many ghost stories, but what of the hospital buildings which become disused or are repurposed? Do these former centres of medicine have particular ghost stories and paranormal experiences associated with them?

Nat starts with the hospital she was born in, Princess Mary’s Hospital RAF Halton. One wing, which had once been a plastic surgery hub, seemed to generate many strange experiences and stories.

A listener to the show, Laura shares her experience of visiting the hospital when it was derelict and waiting for demolition.

Nat chats with a local urban explorer about the safety and legal issues associated with exploring abandoned sites.

Nat also investigates Bedford hospital’s north and south wings, each of which have abandoned or disused sections that have attracted eerie tales and sightings.

Finally, Nat speaks with Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh podcast about the stories of haunted hospitals he has discovered whilst researching a new book. Some of these stories are deeply disturbing.

If you want to see images of the places mentioned in this episode and read more about them visit the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Contact Nat on [email protected] or on social media

For ad free episodes and bonus content check out the show's Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thanks to Laura and Olie for sharing their experiences.

Special thanks to Wayne Gilbert for sharing his stories with us.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear.

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In this third episode exploring why abandoned, ruined and derelict places attract so much folklore and urban legends, Nat looks at more recent ruins.

Steph Lay of City of Secrets project tells Nat about a derelict farm on the outskirts of Milton Keynes with the deliciously creepy name of Devils Den Farm. Steph shares some more urban derelict places within the city.

Nat digs deeper into the history of Devils Den Farm and in comparing it with an abandoned Biggleswade farmhouse stumbles across a heart-breaking but fascinating piece of family history. This story at first appears like a plot from an Agatha Christie novel but proves to be something more poignant.

Nat also explores the ghost stories and urban legends that are attached to our disused railway lines, exploring tales associated with a Bedfordshire railway tunnel, which is now a nature reserve as well as stories from Lincolnshire past railways.

This episode does contain stories and discussion about suicide, and a warning is given before that section begins. The show blog weirdinthewade.blog has a list of organisations which can provide help to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or those affected by suicide.

Want ad free episodes? Want more from Weird in the Wade join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thank you to Steph Lay for your wonderful stories from Milton Keynes.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Additional editing in this episode is by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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In a second episode considering abandoned places in

Cainhoe Castle near Clophill is one example Nat explores. The site is now part of a nature reserve (Clophill Lakes) and Nat chats with Daniel Bowles from the Green Sand Trust to learn more about the castle, it’s origins and why it was abandoned.

Nat then also explores the lost settlement of Kinwick near Biggleswade and how a 13th century murder holds clues to where it was situated.

Old Linslade is another Bedfordshire village which was changed forever by the black death which Nat explores.

There’s some exciting news from the world of genetics which also sheds light on why some were struck down by the black death whilst others

Thank you to Daniel and Kayte from the Green Sand Trust for their help and expertise.

Find show links, photos and video to accompany this episode including links to Bryan Bland's Cainhoe Castle walks at: weirdinthewade.blog

Get in touch with weird in the wade at weirdinthewade.gmail.com

Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and extra content here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Listen to Nat on Caught Up In Crime podcast wherever you get your podcasts or here on apple and here on Spotify

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and

Additional editing by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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!!! Last chance to get tickets to Bedfordshire's Dark History a show created by Nat Doig and Olie Campbell. Saturday 25th July 2pm The Quarry Theatre Bedford. Grab tickets here !!!

In this episode Nat joins Bryan Bland (of Ampthill Ghost Walks and who is Ampthill’s new town crier) to explore the history and legends which swirl around the ruins of Houghton House. A place beloved by the romantic poets, artists and 20th century ghost hunters.

Nat also uncovers the history of two of Bedfordshire’s long lost castles. Ampthill castle which was a favourite of Henry VIII and prison to Catherine of Aragon. And Biggleswade’s own castle, which was completely forgotten for hundreds of years until aerial photographs rediscovered it in 1954.

Along the way we’ll meet phantom knights, and highwaymen along with the ghost of Queen Catherine herself.

Check out the show blog for links and further reading here

Find weird in the wade on social media here

Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and bonus content here

Thanks to Bryan Bland for his expert knowledge and storytelling.
Weird in the wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig
Theme music by Tess Savigear

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***Weird in the Wade Presents: Bedfordshire's Dark History at Bed Fringe, 25th July at 2pm. Grab tickets here: https://bedfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873684599 ***

 In a celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Nat explores why the queer community has an affinity with the magical, otherworldly and supernatural.

She uncovers the history of one of the UK’s oldest, continuously run safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, the Barley Mow pub in Bedford. With the help of it’s current manager Ryan, Nat explores its fascinating history and evolution as an inclusive space. The venue also has a darker past with its association with Bedford Gaol which stands opposite.

Nat also chats with James Chantry an artist and academic who explores queer identity through art, the environment and folktales in the Lincolnshire fens. The episode starts with a retelling of the folktale “The Tiddy Mun,” an unusual tale which Nat and James discuss in detail.

Check out weirdinthewade.blog for show notes and links, as well as a recommended reading and listening list for LGBTQ+ history and folklore.

Want ad free episodes and bonus content, sign up to Weird in the Wade's patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Got a comment or a suggestion? Get in touch with Nat on [email protected] or @weirdinthewade on social media.

Thank you to Ryan at the Barley Mow and James Chantry for their time and expertise.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music and Stay Off The Tracks by Tess Savigear

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After exploring the 1840s haunting of Tempsford Hall Nat delves into the 20th and 21st century history of the hall.

On the eve of the 20th century Tempsford Hall suffered a devastating fire where extreme bravery was shown by the residents, visitor, and servants of the Hall.

Tempsford is probably most famous today for its role in the second world war. A top-secret role involving espionage, and resistance fighters. Nat explores the history of the Special Operations Executive and the memorial barn at Gibraltar Farm just west of Tempsford Hall today. Nat focuses on the experiences of two SOE operatives Pearl Witherington and Noor Inayat Khan. Women who bravely fought against the nazi’s in occupied France.

Finally, Nat looks at the more recent haunted history of Tempsford Hall and the village in general including an experience sent in by a listener who lived in Tempsford recently.

Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for photos, videos and links to further reading.

Voice actors for this episode are:

Tess Savigear as Millicent and the nurse

Owen Staton as Bulkeley Hughes

Bryan Bland as the Major

Additional research by Aisling McCrudden

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear

Weird in the Wade is on a short break until 6th July 2026

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Whist researching Tempsford’s World War 2 history Nat

Nat also explores Tempsford’s social history, which could

Is this haunting connected to paranormal activity reported

Find show notes and photographs on the show blog

Go ad free, get extra content and support the show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thank you to the Bedfordshire Archives.

Thank you to all the wonderful voice actors in this episode

Bryan Bland

Emily Elle Watts

Tess Savigear

Rhiannon Barrow

Steph Lay

Mikey Doyle

And Olie Campbell

Researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music and haunted house theme by Tess Savigear

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Join Nat for this 3 year anniversary and 50th episode celebration of Weird in the Wade at Biggleswade’s most haunted pub! (I know it says episode 45 but some bonus episodes weren't numbered.)

Nat and the Scooby Gang (8 friends of the show) spent the night investigating in the bar of the Golden Pheasant. Very little sleep was had, but strange sounds, sensations and communicating with dowsing rods all took place.

The Golden Pheasant was featured in the Halloween special episode of the podcast in October 2023. The pub is said to be haunted by a singing ghost and a Victorian lady. There’s a little girl phantom, teleporting Yorkshire puddings, and many other strange occurrences reported.

Nat hears about a terrifying nightmare which still haunts one of the bar staff, and investigates former staff and landlords of the pub. There’s a Victorian publican who got in trouble with the law for his disgusting language, and another who was involved in a fatal steam engine accident. But can any of this history explain the strange goings on in the pub over the years. And will Olie Campbell’s guitar playing at 2am entice the singing ghost to join in?

Thank you to the Scooby Gang:

Want to support the show and get ad free episodes then join the Weird in the Wade Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Follow the show on social media here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade

Researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Additional editing by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

Night Watch composed and performed by Olie Campbell

Get in touch with Nat at [email protected]

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Nat meets up with Theresa the landlady of one of Biggleswade’s most mysterious pubs. There’s very little historical information about the Whistle and Flute, which changed its name from the Elephant and Castle in the 1990s. Theresa and her staff have all experienced strange phenomena in the pub, and Nat hopes to shed some light on why that might be.

Nat also speaks with Lloyd Lugsden of the “Dead Pubs of Bedfordshire” project to find out if he has come across any themes when it comes to haunted pubs across the county. This leads Nat to uncover a tragic story about drunken driving of a horse and trap.

Finally, Nat speaks with Kevin O’Shea from Supernatural Japan podcast about his experiences in haunted pubs in Canada and Japan. Japan’s drinking culture is traditionally very different to Europe and North America’s and it seems their rich ghost lore makes for some interesting experiences in their traditional inns (Ryoken.)

Want to listen to Weird in the Wade ad free and support the podcast then check out Weird in the Wade's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Find out more about the Weird in the Wade show Bedfordshire's Dark History at Bedford Fringe Festival here: https://bedfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873684599

Find show notes and photographs on the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Thanks to Theresa Blunden, Lloyd Lugsden and Kevin O’Shea

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Editing of the interviews was by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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