This week on Wyrd Wessex, we’re diving deep into the world of Bigfoot with a very special guest, Eric Nelson, a retired California Highway Patrol officer and dedicated volunteer at the China Flat Museum and Bigfoot Collection in Willow Creek, California. Join hosts Andy and Craig as they discuss the history of this legendary cryptid and explore some of the most fascinating evidence and encounters.

• The China Flat Museum: Eric talks about the museum's history and his role there, recounting how a childhood fascination with shows like “In Search Of” led him to become a gatekeeper for some of the world's most incredible eyewitness accounts.
• The Patterson-Gimlin Film: We tackle the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence, the 1967 film from Bluff Creek. We discuss why experts, including anatomists and Hollywood makeup artists, believe its intricate muscle movement and unique gait make it virtually impossible to have been a hoax.
• The "No Body" Problem: One of the biggest challenges for believers is the lack of remains. We debate this key issue, exploring theories about acidic soil, quick decomposition, and why other elusive animals like the wolverine are rarely found either.
• UK Encounters: The conversation moves to sightings in the UK and the historical lore of “wild men” and “wood woesers.” Craig recounts a chilling story told by a soldier who had a close-range encounter with a large, hairy bipedal creature during military exercises on Salisbury Plain.
• Personal Encounters: Eric shares some of the most compelling stories he's heard directly from visitors to the museum. These include a retired FBI agent who saw a Bigfoot in Colorado and a woman who worked with primates and heard a mysterious orangutan-like scream in the woods of the Olympic Peninsula.
• Signs of Activity: Beyond sightings and tracks, Eric explains how Bigfoot researchers are using modern technology to identify the creatures through their unique vocalizations, and he describes the puzzling phenomenon of wood knocks.
• The Great Conundrum: We discuss the ethical dilemma of what would happen if a Bigfoot were ever definitively proven to exist, exploring why Native American elders believe they should be left alone and the risk of exploitation or endangerment.
• Wyrd News: A shocking news story about a man in Oklahoma who murdered his friend because he believed he had "summoned Bigfoot to kill and eat him.”

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.

Join Andy and Craig as they delve into the bizarre events of the Warminster UFO flap, an ongoing phenomena that began in the small Wiltshire town back in the 1960s. Dubbed "the thing" by locals, this series of unexplained occurrences includes everything from strange lights in the sky to terrifying noises and close encounters.

• The Warminster Mystery: The wyrdo's use a rare book by local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood as their primary source, comparing his deep dive into the sightings to the classic Mothman Prophecies investigation.
• The Unseen Force: The episode kicks off with the earliest reports of "the thing," which first manifested as a powerful, unexplained sound. Listen to chilling accounts from Christmas Day 1964 of a thunderous force that rattled homes and tormented residents. The hosts also discuss strange animal deaths, with dead mice found riddle with small holes and a budgie dying of shock.
• A Growing Menace: While the phenomena started with sound, it quickly escalated to bizarre sightings. Accounts include silent, cigar-shaped crafts, a "flying train," and two bright, human-like eyes in the sky. The hosts explore the potential connection between these sightings, local ley lines, and nearby bodies of water.
• Close Encounters: The episode details a series of terrifying and unexplained encounters, from a force that pinned down a teenage boy to a delivery driver whose engine stalled as a crimson orb flew directly at his truck.
• Mysterious Figures: The hosts discuss sightings of strange figures, often described as wearing "balaclavas" or "wet" black suits. These beings are often reported to vanish after being nearly hit by cars, leaving no trace behind.
• The Search for Answers: A public meeting is held to try to get to the bottom of the phenomena, attended by hundreds of terrified locals. But with government officials absent and witnesses unwilling to speak, the meeting ultimately proves fruitless.

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.

In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Andy and Craig explore the enduring mystery of crop circles. Craig, a resident of Wiltshire—a county known for its high concentration of circles—shares his personal experiences visiting several of the formations. Andy delves into the history of the phenomena, from the 17th-century "Mowing Devil" to the famous modern hoaxers, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley.

Plus, we share a number of bizarre news stories, including a man who discovered a 17-foot deep medieval well in his living room, and pop icon Gary Numan's terrifying London Underground ghost encounter.

In this episode: 

The true history and folklore behind crop circles. 

The famous hoaxers who fooled the world. 

An exclusive update on the modern crop circle community. 

The bizarre discovery of a medieval well and its treasures.

Gary Numan's terrifying ghost encounter. 

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.

In this episode, the wyrdo's, Craig and Andy, delve into one of the most gruesome legends in Scottish history before shifting gears to share some bizarre news and a spooky listener story.

⚠️ Trigger warning!!! This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, cannibalism, and murder that may be disturbing to some listeners.

The Legend of Sawney Bean: We unravel the horrifying story of Sawney Bean, the patriarch of a cannibalistic clan who lived in a remote cave and preyed on travelers for decades.

The King's Justice: The story of how King James VI of Scotland allegedly led a massive manhunt to find the clan's lair and bring them to justice.

Fact or Folklore?: Craig and Andy discuss whether the Sawney Bean tale is a true story or merely anti-Scottish propaganda, and its connection to other historical legends.

The Ghost Horse of Bedfordshire: A listener shares a chilling account of a spectral black horse that appeared and then vanished into thin air on land once owned by the Knights Templar.

Wyrd News:

Haunted Dolls for Sale: An exploration of a disturbing online community where people buy dolls said to be possessed by human spirits.

The Search for Alien Life: A look at the James Webb Telescope's discovery of a gas on an exoplanet that could be a sign of extraterrestrial life.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

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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.

Hello and welcome to Afterwyrd, where we cram in all the wyrdness that doesn't fit into our regular episodes. This week, we're diving into a trio of wild stories that cover everything from terrifying technology to bizarre animal behavior.

In this episode: 

The Human-Faced Robot: We discuss the horrifying new development from Tokyo University—a robot given a face of living human skin—and its uncanny ability to smile. 

The High Sheep of Thessaly: Andy has a bizarre story about a flock of sheep that got into a medical cannabis greenhouse and started "jumping higher than goats." 

]The Waking Dead: We explore the terrifying case of a woman who was declared dead but was found to be still breathing at a funeral home. 

The Haunted Wheelchair: We discuss a spooky video of a wheelchair moving on its own in a hospital hallway and whether it’s a ghostly encounter or just a clever hoax.

"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.

This week, we finally answer a question we've been asking since the early days of the podcast: Are there ghost animals? The answer is a resounding yes. Join us as we explore a range of spectral creatures, from loyal pets to heralds of doom.

• Ghost Cats: We kick things off with a return to the Penn Hill Poltergeist case, followed by the terrifying legend of the Demon Cat of DC and the story of the Hellfire Club Cat.
• A Personal Anecdote: Craig shares a story about hearing his own deceased dog. We discuss the theory that sounds, like paw steps and barks, are a common form of communication from animal ghosts.
• The Ghost Chicken: A brief but bizarre story of a ghost chicken in London, a result of a 17th-century experiment by Sir Francis Bacon.
• The Talking Mongoose: The case of Jeff the Talking Mongoose is one of the most famous examples of a haunting by a ghost animal. Was it real, a spirit, or a figment of a girl's imagination?
• The Tower of London Bear: The Tower has countless ghosts, but one of its most unusual is that of a polar bear gifted to a king in the 1200s, which later led to the death of a guard by fright.
• Haunted Zoos: We discuss the cursed and haunted ruins of the Griffith Park Zoo in Los Angeles and the tragic story of the animals trapped there.
• Ghost Pigs: We get into some truly bizarre stories, from a ghostly sow and her eternally hungry piglets on Dartmoor to the terrifying Swedish Glossen.
• Spectral Steeds: Not all ghost horses have riders. We explore phantom horses seen on ancient battlefields and a Welsh legend of a terrifying equine apparition that causes car accidents.
• Ghost Monkeys: The final act is all about ghost apes, including a tragic story from Caroo Castle and a chilling tale from the Shropshire Union Canal.
• Weird News: We wrap up the episode with two bizarre news stories: one about a psychic medium who helped find a body and another about Courteney Cox being visited by the ghost of her late co-star, Matthew Perry.

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.

Get ready for a double dose of weirdness! Join us as we explore a fresh batch of bizarre stories, from emotional support alligators to celebrities who think they've cast death spells and everything in between.

• Emotional Support Alligator: The search is on for a missing emotional support gator named Wally after he was allegedly kidnapped and dropped into a remote swamp.
• The Brandreth Curse: Presenter Giles Brandreth reportedly claims he is responsible for the deaths of both Rod Hull and actor Harry Sakem.
• UFOs, UFOs, and More UFOs: We discuss three separate instances of UFOs: a cluster of lights over Turkey after an earthquake, a bizarre video from a plane over NYC, and a UFO being hauled on the back of a truck in Argentina.
• A Mothman Sighting in Chicago: A security guard shares his terrifying story of seeing a tall, winged human-like being that vanished in a flash of blue light.
• The Animal Kingdom Strikes Back: A round up of strange animal stories, including escaped horses from the Household Cavalry, a convincing replica crocodile that fooled police, and a truly heartwarming tale of an orangutan using medicine to heal itself.
• Crimes & Mysteries: The UK police have investigated hundreds of witchcraft and voodoo crimes in the last six years, and a girl hears "monsters" in her wall that turn out to be bees.

"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.

This week, Craig and Andy are joined by a new guest, Bekhi, to explore the world of dreams and premonitions. The episode starts with a humorous and cheesy experiment before diving into the serious and often unnerving history of dreams that seem to predict the future.

Key Topics:

• The Truth About Cheese Dreams: We begin by debunking the myth that cheese gives you nightmares, referencing a 2005 British Cheese Board study on the specific dreams caused by different cheeses.
• Dream Figures: Andy introduces a few key figures from dream folklore, including the Sandman, the Greek god Morpheus, and the chilling Germanic spirit Mara, who is said to be the origin of the word "nightmare."
• Historical Premonitions: We discuss several famous premonitions, including Abraham Lincoln's dream of his own assassination and the dreams of Edith Pretty that led to the discovery of the Sutton Hoo burial site.
• The Aberfan Disaster: Andy recounts the tragic story of the Welsh mining town and the children who had chillingly specific dreams of the disaster before it happened.
• The British Premonitions Bureau: The hosts discuss this bizarre, real-life organization founded in 1967 to collect and verify people's premonitions, including its "hits" related to a plane crash and the assassination of Robert Kennedy.
• Dream-Inspired Creations: The episode concludes with a fascinating list of inventions and works of fiction that were born in dreams, from the sewing machine and Frankenstein to the discovery of the periodic table and the melody for "Yesterday" by Paul McCartney.
• Wyrd News: The team shares bizarre news stories about a woman who wheeled a dead man into a bank, an escaped racehorse at a train station, and a Florida Man who threw pizza at his dad.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

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.

This week, we are joined by author and professional storyteller, Dawn Nelson, to discuss her new book and the fascinating world of ancient stones. The conversation covers everything from the rhythms of nature to the enduring folklore and modern myths that surround Britain’s standing stones.

Key Topics:

• Stories of the Sun: Dawn shares her inspiration for her book, which documents her experience watching a sunrise once a month for a year.
• Sunrise Reflections: The hosts and Dawn share personal anecdotes about their own experiences watching sunrises and the peaceful, sometimes cathartic, nature of the experience.
• Ancient Stones, Global Stories: Dawn provides a mini-history of stone circles, mentioning the 1,300 sites in Britain and comparing them to older sites like Gobekli Tepe in Turkey and the "works of old men" in Arabia.
• The Hurlers & Cornish Folklore: Andy shares the specific legend of The Hurlers, where the stones are believed to be men who were petrified for playing the ancient sport of hurling on a Sunday.
• The Curse of Stanton Drew: We discuss the folklore of the Zealous Bride who was turned to stone by the Devil for dancing on the Sabbath.
• Long Meg & Her Daughters: The story of a venture capitalist businesswoman in Cumbria who was turned into a stone circle due to her unpopularity.
• The Stonehenge Curse: Craig tells the tale of Cecil Chubb, the man who bought Stonehenge at an auction instead of curtains and gifted it to the public after a curse brought misfortune to the original owner.
• Modern Folklore: The conversation touches on modern legends, including a Stonehenge creepypasta about a mysterious disappearance and the ongoing "disappointing" reviews of the site.
• The London Stone: The episode wraps up with the surprising history of the London Stone, a small block of rock in Cannon Street with its own folklore and a strange connection to rebellion.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

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.

Hello and welcome to Afterwyrd, where we dive into all the weird and bizarre stories that didn't make the main show. Join your hosts Andy and Craig as they cover everything from mistaken identities to disturbing true crime, with a few personal anecdotes thrown in for good measure.

• A woman's heartwarming mistake when she rushes a fuzzy hat bobble to an animal hospital after mistaking it for a baby hedgehog.
• The mystery of a glowing, zigzagging UFO spotted hovering above a nuclear power plant in India.
• A look at the global phenomenon of mysterious monoliths after a new one appears on a Welsh hilltop.
• Baba Vanga's eerie 2024 predictions and whether they've started to come true.
• A horrifying report of an HIV outbreak linked to a salon that offered "vampire facials."
• A man's terrifying ordeal after being bitten by a rat in his toilet.
• The dark true crime story of a seemingly "nerdy weird" killer who used fentanyl to murder an Essex couple.
• A bizarre claim from a man who says he was abducted by aliens who harvested his sperm to create a hybrid species.
• The story of an artist's flat, secretly converted into a magnificent fantasy world, that was given a special status to be preserved.

"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.