Weird in the Wade

40 A Haunting at the Higgins Bedford

The Higgins Bedford (a museum and art gallery.) has a long history of unexplained and supernatural phenomena witnessed by customers and staff alike. It became so infamous that from the 1980s until 2010 ghost tours and investigations were held at the museum. The site includes an old brewery, beautiful town house, munitions tower, and the mound of Bedford castle. Can this history shed any light on the paranormal activity reported and recorded in a ghost dossier. Why did the haunting activity cease in 2011?Nat, investigates with the help of The Higgins curators, Victoria Partridge and Lydia MacDonald. One museum item, a doll named Queenie comes under some scrutiny, so Nat also speaks with Fiona Dodwell author of A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls. Special thanks to The Higgins Bedford and Victoria and Lydia in particular.Thank you also to Fiona Dodwell for her insight into haunted dolls and why so many of us find these childhood items so creepy. More information, images and links can be found on the show blog weirdinthewade.blogDo you have a memory of Bedford Museum and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery from the last 40 years? You can get in touch with Nat about this or anything else weird in the wade related at: weirdinthewade@gmail.com Weird in the Wade will be on a short break during February returning with an episode celebrating women who haunt, are haunted or investigate the paranormal with special guests Evelyn Hollow and Deborah Hyde of Uncanny fame, and Bethan Briggs Miller of Eerie Essex, and Steph Lay from the City of Secrets project Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig.Additional editing on this episode by Tess Savigear.Theme music and the creepy doll theme by Tess Savigear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

39 The Prestonville Horror

We return to Brighton and the suburb of Prestonville to discover one of the most bizarre hauntings Nat has ever found. Investigated by the Daily Mirror in 1907, the Presonville Horror defies all understanding of what a ghost might be. A mother and daughter are plagued by strange sounds and sights whilst they care-take a large crumbling house. A flamboyant sceptic investigates and claims to have solved the mystery of the haunting, though few believe him. Is this haunting of 1907 linked to another on the same street investigated by the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1888? To have two houses just 5 numbers apart on the same street making ghostly headlines seems like more than just a coincidence?Find out more on today’s episode. Thanks to Tom Ruffles’ SPR archive blogFind show notes and links for further reading at weirdinthewade.blogContact the show at weirdinthewade@gmail.com Weird in the wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat DoigTheme music and this episode’s Unicorn theme by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

38 Demon Dogs and Creepy Canines (Live)

Recorded live at the Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade, this is a special Christmas episode of Weird in the Wade! Nat with special guest Owen Staton explore tales of demon dogs, creepy canines and haunted hounds. Avoiding the most famous of them all Old Shuck, this episode considers lesser-known tales including those shared by listeners, as well as folktales from Bedfordshire and across the UK. From Luton’s fiery hound of Galley Hill to a tragic Welsh folktale, as well as tales of kindred canines who seem to guide human companions out of danger. Special thanks to Owen Staton from Time Between Times Storytelling podcast Thanks to Julie, listener to Weird in the Wade for letting me share her stories. To see images referenced in the episode visit the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog Nat will be hosting a Winterval Ghost Stories and Folktales online event on the evening of Monday 29th December. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1966782724072?aff=oddtdtcreator On Friday 9th January, Nat is hosting an evening of Biggleswade's Dark History at the Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade find out more here: https://www.thebiggtheatre.co.uk/natalie-doig/ If you have a story to share or any comments please email Nat at weirdinthewade@gmail.com Follow Weird in the Wade on social media for behind the scenes info and latest news. https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Weird in the Wade theme and the specially composed Black Shuck theme which opened this episode by Tess Savigear Written by Nat Doig Presented by Nat Doig and Owen Staton Produced and Edited by Lucy Dearlove Assistant Producers: Izzy Syme and Liv Woodward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37 The Ghosts of Preston Manor

Join Nat on a brief trip away from the wade to the seaside and Brighton’s hidden gem, Preston Manor. This ancient manor house is possibly England’s most haunted. There is a ghost story, sometimes multiple ghost stories for every room at this beautiful stately home. Dan Cox Head Guide for Brighton Museums and Preston Manor takes us on a tour of the house sharing ghost stories old and new, including his own creepy encounter. Nat also delves into the history behind Preston’s most famous phantom “The White Lady” and discovers more about the late Victorian medium Ada Goodrich Freer who held a séance at the manor in 1896. There are many photos and links to further reading on the show blog weirdinthewade.blog Contact weird in the wade at: weirdinthewade@gmail.com Special thanks to Dan Cox for his expertise and storytelling A huge thank you to Emily Elle Watts for playing the roles of Lily MacDonald and Ada Goodrich Freer in this episode. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig. Theme music and the Brighton theme composed and performed by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 The Ghosts of Coopers Hill

Listener Nick, tells Nat about a strange and ghostly experience he had at Coopers Hill in Ampthill, Bedfordshrie back in the early 1980s. Did Nick witness a ghost, a time slip or is there a more rational but equally intriguing explanation for his sighting? With the help of Bryan Bland from Ampthill Ghost Walks, Nat uncovers the strange history of Coopers Hill, or the Firs as locals call it. That history includes, Victorian poachers, Canadian lumberjacks in World War One, and a secret cold war bunker. Musicain Olie Campbell inspired by the stories of Coopers HIll has composed two short songs for this episode as well. Listen until the end to catch a sneak preview of the next episode as well. Thanks to Nick, Bryan and Olie for their wonderful contributions to this episode. Check out photographs and links to further reading at weirdinthewade.blog Have a suggestion or comment then email Nat at weirdinthewade@gmail.com Follow the show here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Support weird in the wade on Patreon or Ko-fi Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear Additional music and soundeffects from Epidemic Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices