Beneath the pretty market town of Royston in Hertfordshire, lies a cave that was carved out of the chalk by hand, in the distant past. After being dramatically rediscovered in the mid 18th century, Royston cave has spawned competing theories about its use and meaning and has been a tourist attraction ever since. Smothered in medieval carvings which in turn have been covered by more recent etched graffiti, this cave is unique in many ways. Linked to the Knights Templar by some, an important spiritual site to many, and an historical curiosity from the moment a small boy climbed down into the cave in 1742, to describe what he saw to the town’s folk eager for treasure.

Nat is joined by Emma the current custodian of the cave, and Matt Champion an archaeologist who specialises in medieval graffiti, who has studied the cave extensively. Together they try to unravel the mystery that swirls around the site.

Nat also speaks with Emma Butler of the RUE Papers podcast, about why we’re drawn to caves, and her experiences working at a very different cave in Yorkshire, that of Mother Shipton.

Check out images and video of the cave at weirdinthewade.blog

If you would like to get in touch with Nat, you can find her on social media @weirdinthewade or email at [email protected]

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

As a celebration of two years of Weird in the Wade, Nat returns to the subject of her first ever episode: The Haunted Poundstretcher. The site is now a café and gym where Nat and her team of friends hold a ghost hunt overnight. They have access to the café, gym, attic and cellar space. They hear from staff and visitors who have experienced something uncanny in and outside of the building.

Nat also explores why the rumour that the ghost girl who haunts the site, died in a fire, might have a grain of truth to it.

Using a ghost hunting kit, and with advice from Parapsychologist and Uncanny sceptic Dr Ciarán O'Keefe, Nat embarks on her first ever ghost hunt.

Find out what scares and delights the ghost hunters on this special episode of Weird in the Wade.

Read more about the ghost hunt on the Weird in the Wade Blog https://weirdinthewade.blog/2025/04/29/return-to-the-haunted-poundstretcher-show-notes-and-links/

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

Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade

Or join Team Weird on Patreon for extra and exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade

This episode of Weird in the Wade was researched, written and presented by Nat Doig

Audio Producer: Lucy Dearlove

Assistant Producer: Liv Woodward

Theme music by Tess Savigear

All additional music by Epidemic Sounds

In 1612 in Milton Ernest, a village five miles north of Bedford, two women, a mother and daughter are accused and tried by their village for witchcraft. Their story is written up in a propaganda pamphlet the following year, and their case is used in a 1627 legal guide for witchcraft cases. Yet even those who are familiar with the dark tales of England's witch trials often have not heard of their story. The 1612 Northampton witch trial is often credited as the first documented evidence of ducking being used in such trials. But Mary Sutton was ducked at least a month or two before Northampton.

It's a sad story, but an important one. It's a story that has been misreported from it's very start. In this episode Nat Doig, pieces together the events, looking beyond the propaganda and tries to make sense of a senseless attack on these two women. 

The episode stars Owen Staton in the roles of Cornelius Harbird, and John Inger. Owen has his own podcast Time Between Time Storytelling which you can listen to here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/time-between-times-storytelling-with-owen-staton/id1573244734

The beautiful Ladies Sutton theme was composed especially for this episode by Tess Savigear and performed by Tess on piano and Charlotte Pascoe on oboe. 

Check out the show blog for further information and show notes at weirdinthewade.blog

Support the show on Patreon and receive exclusive content every month: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade

Find links to social media and other ways to support and engage with the show at: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade

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

Theme music and Ladies Sutton theme composed by Tess Savigear, oboe by Charlotte Pascoe

All additional sound effects and music from Epidemic Sound

In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch.

The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the satanic panic.

Nat ponders whether we have moved far enough away from the causes and motivations of the 17th century witch trials. But ends the episode with a delightful piece of witch related folklore.

This episode contains some descriptions of cruelty to animals but Nat gives you a heads up before those sections. 

You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Follow the podcast on social media via linktree

Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon. 

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

Theme music and the track Waking Up are by Tess Savigear

All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. 

In this episode Nat takes you on a journey, exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from medieval times up until the late 18th century. Kicking off with a ghost story about a witch. 

This episode moves from what is possibly Bedfordshire's earliest record of witchcraft, to the witch trials of the 17th century and beyond. It seems even when persecuting witches was outlawed in 1735, the people of Bedfordshire persisted in attempting to punish those who they thought dabbled in magical harm.

Part Two which is available now, which follows up from the 19th century to modern day.

In this episode Dr Francis Young, provides his insight into 16th century religious and political matters.

Tess Savigear voices an account of the "Dunstable witch," Elizabeth Pratt.

Owen Staton voices an account of the "witch of Oakley."

Matt Savigear voices the curious case of a husband and wife accused of witchcraft in Silsoe. 

You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Follow the podcast on social media via linktree

Support the podcast on Ko-Fi or Patreon. 

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

Theme music and the tracks, Waking Up and The Ladies Sutton are by Tess Savigear

Oboe on The Ladies Sutton is played by Charlotte Pascoe 

All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. 

As the missing person's charity, Locate International launch a fresh appeal into "Biggleswade Man" Nat takes a closer look at this missing persons, and unidentified body case.

Even if you don't live in Biggleswade you could hold the key to solving this 28 year mystery. 

In February 1997 some schoolboys playing truant discovered the body of a homeless man. They recognised this man as "Old Ragbones," an itinerate tool sharpener. 

Old Ragbones attracted rumours in life and even more so in death. After 28 years he has still not been identified. Someone must know who he is. Somewhere a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend, even a colleague misses him and wonders what became of him. He may have had links to London and further afield. Listen to this fascinating episode and please share it with others. Do you hold the key to this man's identity? 

You can find more information and see images of our mystery man on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog 

Or visit Locate International's appeal: https://locate.international/appeals/biggleswade-man

Thanks go out to the people of Biggleswade who shared information with me about their memories of this mysterious man. Especially Craig, Roy and Angela who shared statements with me. 

Voice acting in this episode is from Owen Staton and Paul Gledhill. 

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

Theme music by Tess Savigear

All additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound. 

Just a quick update to let you know where your Weird in the Wade episode is? Don't worry new episodes are on their way. You won't have to wait long.

Listen to find out why the Witches of Bedfordshire episodes will be a little late. There's also exciting news about an appeal to find a missing man who's body was discovered in Biggleswade 28 years ago. He has never been identified. Coming in the next few days is an episode about this tragic mystery. Can you help identify Old Ragbones, as he was known to the local children, Biggleswade's Mystery Man? No matter where you are in the world, you could hold the key to solving this mystery. 

There's a wood between the Bedfordshire town of Potton and the ancient hamlet of Sutton, which has spooked many locals including Nat. The creepiness seems to coalesce around an ancient bridge along an equally venerable footpath which has possibly been in use for over 1000 years. 

After Nat encountered this strange part of the woods nearly three years ago, she's been trying to piece together it's history and to find a cause of the unsettling feelings walkers have described.

Why do few birds sing in that part of the woods?

Was the path used as a route to an execution site?

Is a big cat sighting from the 1990s somehow involved?

Nat uncovers Victorian fake news along the way and a torrid tale of polluted waterways and sewage dumps, but does she discover the truth?

Find photographs and further reading on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog

If you have any suggestions or questions email [email protected]

Thanks to local author Paul Jameson for his insight and here's where you can find out more about his wonderful books: https://www.modquokka.com/

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

Theme music is by Tess Savigear

All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. 

In this festive special episode Nat chats with Danny Robins of Uncanny, the Witch Farm, the Battersea Poltergeist and 2:22 A Ghost Story Fame. They chat about haunted cinemas, theatres and doppelgangers.

But before their chat, Nat explores the creepy tales from one of Bedford's former cinemas. There's phantom monks and an old Priory to explore along the way.

Special guest Owen Staton returns with a confession about a haunted cinema he worked in! 

And Nat learns why an ambulance and priest were stationed outside a Biggleswade cinema in the 1970s.

It really is a bumper festive fearsome delight of an episode.

Find show notes on the blog https://weirdinthewade.blog/

Join Team Weird on Patreon and receive bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade

Find Weird in the Wade on social media here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade

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

Theme music by Tess Savigear

All additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound.

This stocking filler of an episode is packed full of new witnesses and updates to previous cases. 

In today’s episode we’ll hear from a new witness to the haunting of the Golden Pheasant. It's a chance to set the story straight about one of the hauntings I covered in that episode.

There’s new information about Thelma Roberts the 1950s UFO investigator and some medical evidence which could shed new light on the Potton Poisoner case.

And at the end of today’s episode I will reveal who the special Christmas episode guest is. 

Have an update or story to share message Nat on [email protected]

Join the patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade

Find us on Patron at: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade

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

Theme music and the Potton Poisoner theme by Tess Savigear.

All other music by Epidemic Sound.