In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we sit down with Matt, the director of Area 51, to peel back the layers of one of the UK’s most unique gatherings: The Strange Days Festival. Hosted at the legendary Barge Inn in Honey Street, this weekend-long celebration on the Kennet and Avon Canal has become a vital hub for the Fortean community.
Matt takes us behind the scenes of creating immersive, \"shit-scary\" experiences—from his work designing elaborate Halloween scare mazes like Witchfinder to the eclectic, \"psychedelic space rock\" atmosphere of the festival itself. We discuss the fine line between believers and skeptics, the fascinating history of Forteana, and why the Barge is the perfect, uncanny setting for healthy debate and storytelling.
Join us as we explore the lineup for this year’s festival, discuss the \"Sandown Clown\" mystery, and dive into the peculiar crossover between folk horror and modern UFO encounters.
Links:
Strange Days Festival: strange days festival.co.uk
Follow the Barge: https://www.facebook.com/thebargehoneystreet/?locale=en_GB
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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens
Edited by Craig Brooks
Intro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix
Outro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong
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