{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/689a1216880401ed579f58f3/6a5e8978c8941e69918c49b6?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Ridgeway Ghosts & UFO Sightings","description":"<p>In this episode, Craig and Andy head to Oxfordshire's ancient Ridgeway to explore one of England's most haunted landscapes—from Farringdon churchyard where a headless ghost still patrols, to the Uffington White Horse that inspired Tolkien, and finally Wayland's Smithy, where an invisible blacksmith once shoed horses for pennies.</p><p><br></p><p>What starts as a folklore walk quickly turns into something stranger, as we're joined by local carver Toby to share unsettling firsthand accounts of small brown figures spotted in the tree line, objects thrown at tents, and sounds with no visible source.</p><p><br></p><p>We dig into the true story of Hampden Pye, a 17th-century aristocrat murdered during a naval engagement and cursed to haunt his memorial service as a headless spectre.</p><p><br></p><p>We examine the Bronze Age origins of the White Horse and the ritual mutilations discovered at Childley Warren, before ending at the Neolithic barrow of Wayland's Smithy—where Saxons believed a demigod blacksmith still worked the night. Plus, we investigate a 1978 UFO sighting from Stanford-in-the-Vale that doesn't quite add up on paper.</p><p><br></p><p>In This Episode</p><p>The Headless Ghost of Farringdon: Hampton Pie's tragic love affair, murder by treachery, and decades-long haunting of All Saints Church before a Victorian vicar laid him to rest.</p><p><br></p><p>The Uffington White Horse: Britain's oldest hill figure (1380–550 BC), its WWII camouflage, and why you can't see it properly when standing right on top.</p><p><br></p><p>Dragon Hill &amp; St. George: The bare chalk patch where a dragon's blood supposedly poisoned the earth forever—and Kate Bush's \"Running Up That Hill\" connection.</p><p><br></p><p>Wayland's Smithy: A Neolithic long barrow home to the invisible Saxon demigod blacksmith who offered roadside horse-shoeing services until the 19th century.</p><p><br></p><p>The Little Brown Figures: Guest Toby shares two separate accounts from different decades of diminutive brown figures appearing in the tree line around Wayland's Smithy at night—with objects thrown at tents and no witnesses.</p><p><br></p><p>Stanford-in-the-Vale UFO: A 1978 alleged close encounter with missing time, though the travel timeline raises questions.</p><p><br></p><p>Stay Wyrd!</p><p><br></p><p>Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: <a href=\"buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex</a></p><p><br></p><p>Buy our merch here: <a href=\"https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u</a></p><p><br></p><p>Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens</p><p><br></p><p>Edited by Craig Brooks</p><p><br></p><p>Intro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix</p><p>Outro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong</p>","author_name":"Craig Brooks"}