Wyrd Wessex

In this episode, Craig and Andy head to the ancient, iconic landscape of the Avebury Stone Circle for the "Weird Wessex" showcase—a gathering of local artists, musicians, and storytellers celebrating the high strangeness of the West Country. What starts as a stroll through the stones quickly turns into a deep dive into the living, breathing folklore of the region, packed with everything from medieval mysteries to silent UFOs.First, we chat with some of the festival's more eccentric living folklore characters, including the forest-dwelling Apple Man and the Cerbo Dog (a self-proclaimed son of Cerberus). Then, we catch up with traditional stonemason Toby Robson to talk about the hidden history of apotropaic "witch marks" on historic buildings, before he drops a fascinating, first-hand account of a silent, diamond-shaped craft he witnessed gliding over Devizes.Moving over to St. James's Church, event co-organiser and carver Wolfie gives us a masterclass in reading sacred spaces as he shares his deep research into replicating the mysterious, headless figure on the 12th-century Avebury font. We're also joined by muralist Bos, who details the dark, thunderous Dartmoor lore behind his painting of the 1638 Widecombe-in-the-Moor Devil attack, and storyteller Oliver Lavery (The Folk Bus), who helps us bridge the gap between ancient fairy abductions at Hackpen Hill and modern Ufology.We wrap things up with a well-earned debrief at The Barge at Honey Street, reflecting on how crop circles, stone carvings, and local legends all connect into one massive matrix of weirdness.In This EpisodeThe Witch Marks of Wessex: Stonemason Toby Robson explains the folklore of apotropaic markings, portal protection, and why people used to scrape consecrated dust from church walls for folk magic.The Silent Diamond over Devizes: Toby shares his unexplained encounter with a silent, multi-coloured, diamond-shaped aerial object that defied military aviation logic.The Avebury Font Detective: Wolfie breaks down the iconography of the church's medieval font and his theory that the missing figure is actually St. James of Jerusalem.The Devil of Widecombe: Bos brings the eerie history of Dartmoor to life, recounting the legendary 1638 lightning strike blamed on a demonic visitation, and a strange Hollywood connection to the "ghost village."Fairies vs. Grays: Storyteller Oliver Lavery explores the shared archetypal DNA between the historic fairies of Hackpen Hill and modern alien abduction lore."I don't think it's for me to say if anyone's wrong or right... I love the secrecy of it all. And your opinions are just as valid as mine."Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong

Welcome to another instalment of the Wyrd Wessex Book Club! This month, we’re peeling back the layers of mythology and identity as we dive into Queer as Folklore by Sasha Coward.We’ve been an "extended book club" for a long time here, but it’s been a joy to formalise these monthly gatherings with our Discord members Rosie and Terrie. This month’s pick was recommended by Rosie, and it’s safe to say it gave us all plenty to talk about. Sasha Coward’s work isn’t just a look at ancient texts—it’s a manual for reclaiming our space in history and understanding why the "strange" has always acted as a sanctuary for the outsider.In this episode, we chat about:Reclaiming the Monster: Why symbols like the X-Men or The Little Mermaid (and the legendary drag queen Divine!) are more than just stories—they’re ancestral threads for the queer community.The "Armor" of the Outsider: We share how many of us used "fake lore"—from gothic gear to devil horns—as literal armor to navigate the world.The Perspective Shift: How even for those of us who grew up on classic folklore, this book added an entirely new layer of meaning to the myths we thought we knew.Our Rating: Did it live up to the hype? Spoiler: The Green Men were out in full force for this one.Next Month’s Read:We’re shifting gears for July. We’ll be tackling Shadows in the Nave by Peter Underwood/Paul Adams/Eddie Brazil. It’s beautifully broken down into short, visual sections—perfect for our summer reading.Join the Conversation:Did you read along with us? Let us know your favourite chapter or your thoughts on the book in the comments below! If you want to jump into our next recording or share your "ideal reading spot," head over to our Discord.Support the Show:Buy Us A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexGrab Official Merch: redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shopHosted and edited by Craig BrooksIntro & Outro Music: Medieval Celtic violin by Music_for_Creators

What happens when you don't fit into the "neat and orderly" versions of history taught in schools? You go underground. You find your truth in the stories, the monsters, and the high strangeness that society tries to ignore.In this episode, Craig sits down with historian and author Sasha Coward (Queer as Folklore) to map out the hidden, queer roots of our favourite myths. We’re exploring how the marginalised and the neurodiverse have used folklore as a sanctuary for centuries—and why those "weird" stories have always acted as a beacon for the outsider.In this episode, we cover:The Sanctuary of the Strange: From Victorian seances (and their surprisingly erotic loopholes) to the 90s goth subculture, we look at how the supernatural has provided a safe harbour for queer identity.Reclaiming the Monster: Why we aren't just "borrowing" myths like mermaids, unicorns, or werewolves—we helped create them.The Neurodiverse Connection: Why the "slanted" mind and the "wyrd" have always travelled together.Mothman & Florida Man: Craig mounts a spirited defence of the misunderstood Mothman, and we break down the tactical logistics of praising God from a highway sunroof at 70mph.Folklore isn't just a collection of dusty old stories; it’s a map of our true ancestral roots. Whether you're an outsider, a believer, or just someone looking for a bit of high strangeness, this conversation is for you.Follow Sasha Coward: Check out his book Queer as Folklore www.sachacoward.com https://www.instagram.com/sachacoward/A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO OUR BUY ME A COFFEE MEMBERS:Tenner, Dan, Vicky, Steph, Gabby, Andrew, John, Rosie, Nick, Simon, and Terry! Your support helps us keep the show going. Want to join our supporters, get live recording links, and access our Discord channels? Head over to the link below.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig BrooksEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong

In this episode Craig and Andy head slightly north to explore the modern urban legends, liminal spaces, and paranormal hotspots of Milton Keynes. We are joined by paranormal researcher, writer, and photographer Dr. Steph Lay, who spent over two decades at the Open University before turning her analytical eye toward the city's haunted shadows.With a diploma in parapsychology and a PhD specialising in the "uncanny valley," Steph is on a mission to collect a ghost story for every single grid square in Milton Keynes. Is a city designed for the future actually a containment system for something ancient, or are these modern ghost stories evolving alongside the technology we use?Milton Keynes might lack the centuries of dust found in York or Nottingham, but as our conversation with Steph reveals, it is rapidly growing its own modern mythology. Whether it’s the persistent rumours of Cold War-era bunkers, digital ghosts caught on CCTV, or the synchronicity of ancient leys, the city proves that high strangeness is always closer than we think.In This EpisodeWhy a city known for being shiny and clean is actually a hotbed for paranormal activity. Steph shares her data-driven approach to mapping hauntings across the city's meticulously planned estates.We delve into the theory that the city’s modern infrastructure—from smart technology to fibre networks—is fracturing an ancient containment system buried beneath the soil.Did the original planners tune into the weird, hippie vibe of the 1960s to align the city’s Midsomer Boulevard with the summer solstice and local ley lines?We explore the chilling local folklore of "Deb's Close" in Stoney Stratford, where a modern home renovation allegedly disturbed a monstrous entity that terrorises residents every New Year's Eve.Steph explains the psychological roots of the "uncanny valley"—why near-human entities trigger our deepest danger responses—and how she uses that cognitive psychology expertise to investigate the supernatural."I’m absolutely fascinated by the idea that it might actually be quite haunted... I’m into mapping, I love data—so I thought, what if I could get a ghost story in every single one of these grid squares?"Explore the Revenants on the Redway Project and read Stephs ongoing collection of paranormal reports at cityofsecrets.blog.Stay Wyrd.Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by: Craig Brooks Hosted by: Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by: Craig BrooksIntro music: Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music: Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong

Join Craig and special guest UAPaul as they tackle the latest batch of UAP file releases from the US Department of War. Is the government finally admitting we aren't alone, or are they just having a bit of a laugh at our expense with a retro-styled website that feels like a 90s conspiracy fever dream? We cut through the noise, the FLIR artifacts, and the "tic-tac" hype to get to the truth.Episode HighlightsThe "Invisible Frontline": We discuss the UK turning on its "Skynet" space defence system six months early. Is it a necessary shield against cosmic conflict, or more "a lie they want you to believe" territory?Decoding the Data Dump: Paul provides a technical breakdown of the US Department of War’s latest UAP website. Why does it look like an X-Files prop, and why is the image quality so suspiciously low?Flare or Phenomenon?: We examine the "star-shaped" objects and strange pulses. Is it advanced propulsion, or just military flares and camera stabilization struggling with high-speed movement?The USO Mystery: What’s going on under the water? We discuss Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) that seem to defy the physics of sea travel.The Propaganda Game: Are these releases a genuine attempt at disclosure, or is the government flooding the zone with easily debunked footage to discredit the entire UAP conversation?The "Bug on the Doorbell Cam" Theory: We contemplate the state of modern tech—why the best evidence might be the older, "pre-CGI" era clips.Join our Discord community to debate the footage and share your own sightings.Don't blame the owls!Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.ukMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/exploreHosted by: Craig BrooksEdited by: Craig BrooksIntro & Outro: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix by Antipodean Writer.

In this special episode, Craig and Andy gather to share a collection of eerie, fascinating, and downright creepy listener stories sent in by their brilliant Buy Me a Coffee members. After a few technical mishaps and some profanity in a church during the 100th episode, the Wyrdos are back to deliver the supernatural goods.The Listener Tales:Andrew's Childhood Shadow Figures: A genuinely chilling memory from a four-year-old’s perspective. Was it a waking sleep paralysis episode, or were his parents secretly moonlighting in a Dorset-based cult? A terrifying look at an occupied house filled with exploding lightbulbs, phantom candles that relight themselves, and a bizarre, unexplainable horse whinny. But nothing prepares the hosts for Rosie's encounter with a mimic—a chilling phenomenon that introduces the deeply unsettling reality of things pretending to be the people we love.Craig's Glitch in the Matrix: Craig shares a deeply unsettling personal experience from his own home involving a late-night goodnight kiss, a tent fort, and the terrifying realisation in the morning that his daughter Ocean hadn't been in the bed at all. The lingering question remains: What exactly did Craig kiss goodnight?Nick's Trilogy of Terror:A vanishing phantom cat that defies explanation.Creepy audio recordings from a local cemetery.A textbook hospital haunting featuring a friendly spirit and a perfectly timed fire door lockdown.Stay Wyrd!Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - RemixOutro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong

To mark our landmark 100 and oneth episode, we decided to do things a bit differently. Trading the usual format for something more self-indulgent, we sat down in St Andrews Church in Rolleston—complete with some cake and a drop of whiskey—to look back at our journey, answer your listener questions, and contemplate the unknown.Here is a taste of what to expect as we reflect on a century of episodes:Our Origin Story: We share the slightly awkward story of how we first met and teamed up.Highlights and Favourites: With a massive back catalogue behind us, we reveal our top deep dives, the episodes that sat heaviest with us, and some of the most memorable guest moments we've had the pleasure of recording.From Skeptics to the Fence: We haven't always been open to the supernatural. We discuss the specific phenomena that finally pushed us off the fence, our personal theories on what ghosts might actually be, and the one cryptid we are convinced is roaming the British countryside.Looking Ahead: We share our candid thoughts on official UAP disclosure, outline our goals for future storytelling, and reveal the exact episode we would recommend to a new listener discovering the show 50 years from now.A Note on the Technicals: We ended up waffling for so long that our batteries died, our mics glitched, and we were essentially "cast out" of the church for Craig’s spirited language. We kept the best of the conversation for this episode, but have moved your Listener Stories to next week so they get the high-quality treatment they deserve!

For our 100th episode, we’re spending the night within the ancient, 13th-century walls of St. Andrew’s, Rollestone—a site once held by the legendary Knights Hospitaller. Surrounded by centuries of history and the heavy atmosphere of a building designed for spiritual warfare, we’re unpacking the folklore that has kept us "Wyrdo's" talking for 100 episodes.In this episode, we explore:A Night of Wyrd: We settle in for a night of stories in a 13th-century church, discussing why these spaces are more than just architecture—they are fortresses against the unseen.The Church Grim & The Spectral Hound: From the protective yet eerie Church Grim to the hell-hound Black Shuck and the shape-shifting Chien Noir, we delve into the folklore of the dogs that haunt our boundaries.The Warrior-Healers: We visit the legacy of the Knights Hospitaller at Rollestone, exploring their "medicine and military" might and how their presence shaped the landscape we’re currently sitting in.Pharmacy of the Pews: We look at the grim, desperate, and fascinating cures of the past—from church keys and hangman's hands to the bleeding Yew.The Drummer’s Warning: We recount the bleak and gothic legends of Salisbury Plain, including that ominous advice: if you must commit a murder in a thunderstorm, for heaven's sake, make sure the man isn't a drummer.Liminal Spaces: We discuss the porch as a threshold, the meaning of the "Devil’s Door," and the persistent legends of the "Woman in White."A Century of Stories: Reflecting on our journey through the weird and wonderful folklore of the West Country.Stay Wyrd.Help keep the lights on and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessexBuy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=uWritten by: Craig Brooks Hosted by: Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens Edited by: Craig BrooksIntro music: Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix Outro music: Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong