Andy and Craig head to Wales, but thankfully not for another alien encounter. This time, they’re exploring the chilling true story of The Welsh Vampire, Matthew Hardman, a teenager who committed a horrific murder fueled by a dark obsession with vampirism. They delve into the shocking details of a 2001 crime that shattered the peace of a small Welsh town and captivated the nation.

• A Quiet Town, A Horrific Crime: The Wyrdo's set the scene in the long-named town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, or Llanfair PG for short. The episode recounts the brutal murder of 90-year-old Mabel Leyshon, whose body was found with her heart removed and her blood drained.
• The Killer and His Obsession: The hosts discuss the profile of Matthew Hardman, a seemingly normal teenager with a hidden fixation on immortality and the occult. They explore the evidence, from his matching trainers to his bizarre internet search history, that led to his arrest.
• Beyond the Myth: The discussion expands to other real-life "vampire" killers, examining the psychological phenomena that can drive individuals to horrific acts. Craig and Andy explore the tragic stories of:
• Alan Menzies, the "Queen of the Damned" killer.
• Richard Chase, the Vampire of Sacramento.
• Peter Kürten, the Vampire of Düsseldorf.
• Magdalena Solis, the High Priestess of Blood.

Stay Wyrd!

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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the Wyrdo's as they take a deep dive into the history and folklore of Devizes, the Wiltshire market town Craig has lived in all his life. This episode is a journey through a town built on history and secrets, from its Norman roots to its unsettling supernatural tales. Craig and Andy explore every major haunted landmark and reveal the bizarre stories that have shaped the town's character.

• Devizes Castle: The episode begins at the heart of the town, exploring the history of Devizes Castle, the Norman stronghold that gave the town its name. The Wyrdo's detail its role in the Civil War, its destruction by Cromwell, and its most famous ghostly resident, the Lady in White.
• The Battle of Roundway Down & Oliver's Castle: The tour moves to the site of the pivotal Battle of Roundway Down, where the hosts discuss the devastating Royalist victory. They also examine the Iron Age hill fort, Oliver's Castle, and the fascinating discovery of the Roundway Archer, a local man with connections across Bronze Age Europe.
• Wiltshire Folklore: Craig shares the origin of the Wiltshire nickname "Moonrakers" with a story of cunning smugglers and a full moon's reflection. Andy recounts the bizarre tale of the Phantom Bell of Wilcot, a bell bewitched by a local "cunning man" that rang non-stop until his death.
• The Darker Side of Devizes: The Wyrdo's delve into some of the town's most macabre history. They visit the site of Devizes Prison, detailing its dark history of public executions and grim justice. They also stand at the Market Cross to tell the story of Ruth Pierce, a woman who dropped dead after swearing a false oath in public.
• Haunted Landmarks: The tour continues with some of Devizes' most haunted locations, including the chilling legend of the Hand of Glory and the spectral activity at the Black Swan Hotel, the Palace Theatre, and the Roundway Hospital, where a ghost reportedly shouts at a resident for reading.
• Local Legends & Tragedies: The Wyrdo's discuss the tragic history of Drew's Wood Lake and the ghostly presence in the nearby cemetery. They also share a couple of charming, non-scary ghost stories about Annie the Servant at the local Iceland and a vanishing groom.
• Weird News: The episode concludes with two truly bizarre news stories: an outbreak of mysterious sign thefts in the West Country, and an Australian man facing jail time for attempting to collect every element of the periodic table.

Stay Wyrd!

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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the Wyrdo's as they celebrate Beltane at Butser Ancient Farm, delving into the festival's deep-rooted traditions and the powerful energy of the season. In this special episode, Craig and Andy interview a fascinating lineup of guests, exploring personal stories of the supernatural and the profound meaning behind the ancient fire festival.

• Kate, a reenactor of the Bronze Age, shares insights into ancient craftsmanship and recounts a chilling supernatural experience from her work at the British Museum.
• Jason Buck, a storyteller and past guest, offers his perspective on the paranormal as a series of life-long, unexplained occurrences and discusses what Beltane means to him.
• Vanessa (Pukubi), another Bronze Age enthusiast, explains how she brings history to life for people and shares her positive outlook on the festival of rebirth.
• Damh the Bard, a druid and musician, shares a deeply personal account of his spiritual journey and explains his belief in the land's spirits. He also recalls a powerful, direct encounter with the horned god.
• Mark and Rebecca from 2 Circle Designs, the masterminds behind the Beltane burn, reflect on the success of their meticulously planned fire ritual. Rebecca opens up about the "normal weird" ghostly activity in her home, and they both reflect on how Beltane holds a special significance as their wedding anniversary.
• The May Queen and the Green Man, the living symbols of the festival, discuss their roles and reveal a few of their own eerie experiences. The May Queen recounts seeing her deceased grandmother, while the Green Man shares a chilling story from his time in the British Army, where he saw a civil war battlefield appear on an empty field.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

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Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Go to a church and look up. There, nestled within the stonework, you might find a silent mystery staring back at you: the Green Man. In this episode, we're joined by poet and storyteller Tom Hirons to unravel the ancient and modern meaning of this enigmatic figure.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Green Man's Identity: We explore the folklore, history, and symbolism of the Green Man, from his carved visage in medieval cathedrals to his romanticized revival during the Victorian era.
• An Interview with Tom Hirons: We talk with Tom about his journey as a writer, his use of wilderness fasting to find inspiration, and the profound meaning behind his poem, "Sometimes a Wild God."
• The Power of the Wild: Tom shares his personal story of encountering the "Stag Man" and discusses why modern society has become so disconnected from the natural world.
• Weird News: We delve into two seemingly unrelated stories about a former CIA agent who used "remote viewing" to find evidence of bones on Mars and the lost Ark of the Covenant, only to discover a shocking connection between the two.

Stay Wyrd!

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Written by Emma Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a date that sends a shiver down the spine of millions, but where does the superstition around Friday the 13th actually come from? Join us as we explore the ill-omened history of this date, from ancient mythology to modern pop culture.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sinister Origins: We delve into the historical and mythological roots of the fear, including the Last Supper, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the Norse myth of Loki and the death of Baldr.
• The Knights Templar: We uncover the chilling story of the powerful religious order that was arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307.
• Historical Disasters: A look at some of the most notable tragedies that have occurred on this ominous date, from cyclones and crashes to the sinking of the Costa Concordia.
• The Haunting of Stockbridge Bypass: A deep dive into the paranormal activity that plagues a notorious section of road in England, which was opened on a Friday the 13th.
• Pop Culture's Influence: How the iconic horror film franchise cemented the day's dark reputation.

"Don't blame the owls."

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Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a long journey into the world of dragons and UFOs, join Craig and Andy on our bonus podcast, AfterWyrd. We’re going a little deeper down the rabbit hole to discuss a new local legend and a real-life mystery that turned out to be less than magical.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Maid and the Worm of Little Langford: A folk tale from a local village, where a tiny maggot grows into a monstrous threat.
• The Central Park Papers: A seemingly secret historical document that promises a hidden secret but leads to a complicated treasure hunt with a price tag.
• Wyrd Film & TV: Our hosts recommend some recent watches, including a dark supernatural series and a quirky film about a corpse.
• Upcoming Episodes: A quick look ahead to what's to come, including an exciting new T-shirt design and a future episode on the Green Man.

"Don't blame the owls."

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

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Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy St. George's Day! Join us as we look at the history of dragons in Britain, from portents of doom and dreaded foes to symbols of power and even friendly guardians. We'll leave St. George for another time and delve into the wyrms and wyverns of our isle.

In this episode, we delve into:

• The Origins of Dragons: From fiery portents in the skies of Northumbria to their deep roots in our culture and psyche.
• The Red Dragon of Wales: An epic tale from Geoffrey of Monmouth that tells of a boy named Merlin and the true meaning behind the Welsh dragon.
• The Lambton Worm: A cautionary tale from Northumbria about a rebellious young man, a hermit's curse, and a creature that would plague a family for nine generations.
• The Brent Pelham Dragon: The conclusion of our two-part story from Hertfordshire about a skeptical lord and a deal he makes with the devil himself.
• Dragon Lore: We discuss the different types of dragons in folklore (from wyverns to cockatrices), the archetype of the dragon slayer, and the symbolism of these creatures as they appear throughout history.
• Listener Testimony: We speak with Ruth, who shares her incredible close encounter with a UFO in Scotland in 1997.
• Wyrd News: Two stories of modern weirdness—a strange "sea monster" found on a beach in Margate, and the "ghost lights" of South Carolina that might have a scientific explanation.

Stay Wyrd!

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Written by Andy Stevens and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to AfterWyrd, the bonus podcast where we dive into the weird stories and conversations that don't make it into the main show. This week, we're talking about everything from cursed objects to podcast ethics.

In this episode, we discuss:

• A Cursed Bible: We talk about a bizarre find from a free bookstand in Bournemouth: an old, leather-bound Bible with a weird vibe and a strange inscription inside.
• Weird News: A man claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus, and a customer finds a surprising and stomach-churning object in a can of Aldi stewed steak.
• The Ethics of Storytelling: A fascinating and important discussion about how much the truth matters when you’re telling stories about real people and historical events.
• Podcast Branding: Why we've decided to change our logo and the surprising reasons behind it.

"Don't blame the owls."

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, we're heading to West Virginia for a truly unbelievable true crime story. Join your hosts, Andy and Craig, as they delve into the case of the Greenbrier Ghost—an unlikely tale where the testimony of a murder victim's spirit helped convict her killer.

In this episode, we discuss:

• A Haunting True Story: The suspicious death of Zona Heaster in 1897 and the bizarre behavior of her husband, Edward Trout Shue.
• A Mother's Vision: How Zona's mother, Mary Jane Heaster, was visited by her daughter's ghost on four separate nights, learning the specific details of her murder.
• The Trial of a Ghost: The unbelievable court case where Mary Jane's spectral testimony was used to convince a jury, leading to a conviction for murder.
• A Brush with Mob Justice: The dramatic moment when an angry mob formed to lynch the murderer, only to be stopped by the bravery of Sheriff Nickel.
• Wyrd News: We delve into a new book that argues Elvis Presley was a "telepathic demigod" who could heal the sick and change the weather. We also get the latest on the fugitive emu of Batesville, Mississippi!

Stay Wyrd!

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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us on our bonus podcast, AfterWyrd, as we dive into a chilling tale of reincarnation and a follow-up on the horrors of the past. Craig and Andy are taking you down a rabbit hole of bizarre stories, from a modern-day murder mystery with a supernatural twist to macabre historical artefacts.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Boy Who Remembered Being Murdered: A three-year-old boy from the Golan Heights claims to recall his past life, leading to the discovery of a body, an axe, and a chilling confession.
• William Corder's Skin: A follow-up to our Red Barn Murder episode, where we discuss the disturbing fact that the murderer's skin was used to bind a book about his trial.
• Other Macabre Finds: The hosts explore the dark history of using human skin for bookbinding, and the possibility of a road trip to a museum to see the artifacts for themselves.
• The Hellmouth of Houska Castle: A tangent spurred by a young boy's belief in werewolves, leading to a discussion of portals to hell and Central European folklore.

"Don't blame the owls."

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.