Weird in the Wade

In a second episode considering abandoned places in
Bedfordshire, Nat explores the devastation caused by the Black Death in the 14th century. This includes the myths and legends which grew up around the plague, as well as the villages and settlements left in ruins.

Cainhoe Castle near Clophill is one example Nat explores. The site is now part of a nature reserve (Clophill Lakes) and Nat chats with Daniel Bowles from the Green Sand Trust to learn more about the castle, it’s origins and why it was abandoned.

Nat then also explores the lost settlement of Kinwick near Biggleswade and how a 13th century murder holds clues to where it was situated.

Old Linslade is another Bedfordshire village which was changed forever by the black death which Nat explores.

There’s some exciting news from the world of genetics which also sheds light on why some were struck down by the black death whilst others
survived.

Thank you to Daniel and Kayte from the Green Sand Trust for their help and expertise.

Find show links, photos and video to accompany this episode including links to Bryan Bland's Cainhoe Castle walks at: weirdinthewade.blog

Get in touch with weird in the wade at weirdinthewade.gmail.com

Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and extra content here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Listen to Nat on Caught Up In Crime podcast wherever you get your podcasts or here on apple and here on Spotify

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and
produced by Nat Doig

Additional editing by Tess Savigear

Theme music by Tess Savigear

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!!! Last chance to get tickets to Bedfordshire's Dark History a show created by Nat Doig and Olie Campbell. Saturday 25th July 2pm The Quarry Theatre Bedford. Grab tickets here !!!

In this episode Nat joins Bryan Bland (of Ampthill Ghost Walks and who is Ampthill’s new town crier) to explore the history and legends which swirl around the ruins of Houghton House. A place beloved by the romantic poets, artists and 20th century ghost hunters.

Nat also uncovers the history of two of Bedfordshire’s long lost castles. Ampthill castle which was a favourite of Henry VIII and prison to Catherine of Aragon. And Biggleswade’s own castle, which was completely forgotten for hundreds of years until aerial photographs rediscovered it in 1954.

Along the way we’ll meet phantom knights, and highwaymen along with the ghost of Queen Catherine herself.

Check out the show blog for links and further reading here

Find weird in the wade on social media here

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Thanks to Bryan Bland for his expert knowledge and storytelling.Weird in the wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat DoigTheme music by Tess Savigear
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***Weird in the Wade Presents: Bedfordshire's Dark History at Bed Fringe, 25th July at 2pm. Grab tickets here: https://bedfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873684599 ***

 In a celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Nat explores why the queer community has an affinity with the magical, otherworldly and supernatural.

She uncovers the history of one of the UK’s oldest, continuously run safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, the Barley Mow pub in Bedford. With the help of it’s current manager Ryan, Nat explores its fascinating history and evolution as an inclusive space. The venue also has a darker past with its association with Bedford Gaol which stands opposite.

Nat also chats with James Chantry an artist and academic who explores queer identity through art, the environment and folktales in the Lincolnshire fens. The episode starts with a retelling of the folktale “The Tiddy Mun,” an unusual tale which Nat and James discuss in detail.

Check out weirdinthewade.blog for show notes and links, as well as a recommended reading and listening list for LGBTQ+ history and folklore.

Want ad free episodes and bonus content, sign up to Weird in the Wade's patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Got a comment or a suggestion? Get in touch with Nat on weirdinthewade@gmail.com or @weirdinthewade on social media.

Thank you to Ryan at the Barley Mow and James Chantry for their time and expertise.

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music and Stay Off The Tracks by Tess Savigear
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After exploring the 1840s haunting of Tempsford Hall Nat delves into the 20th and 21st century history of the hall.

On the eve of the 20th century Tempsford Hall suffered a devastating fire where extreme bravery was shown by the residents, visitor, and servants of the Hall.

Tempsford is probably most famous today for its role in the second world war. A top-secret role involving espionage, and resistance fighters. Nat explores the history of the Special Operations Executive and the memorial barn at Gibraltar Farm just west of Tempsford Hall today. Nat focuses on the experiences of two SOE operatives Pearl Witherington and Noor Inayat Khan. Women who bravely fought against the nazi’s in occupied France.

Finally, Nat looks at the more recent haunted history of Tempsford Hall and the village in general including an experience sent in by a listener who lived in Tempsford recently.

Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for photos, videos and links to further reading.

Voice actors for this episode are:

Tess Savigear as Millicent and the nurse

Owen Staton as Bulkeley Hughes

Bryan Bland as the Major

Additional research by Aisling McCrudden

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music by Tess Savigear

Weird in the Wade is on a short break until 6th July 2026

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Whist researching Tempsford’s World War 2 history Nat
discovered a dossier of evidence about a haunting. A haunting that happened a hundred years before the second world war. The statements were gathered by Anne Lucinda Elliott, lady of the manor at Tempsford Hall from 1844 -48. They document four years of disturbing and unusual sounds, sights and experiences at the hall. The witnesses are many, including Mr and Mrs Elliott, their guests, servants and even a police constable who was recruited to investigate the unusual and uncomfortable activity at the hall.

Nat also explores Tempsford’s social history, which could
have affected the family’s response to this apparent haunting. There were riots both drunken and violent, poaching and sheep stealing around this time in Tempsford.

Is this haunting connected to paranormal activity reported
at the hall in the 20th century? Could it also be linked to the
secret history of Tempsford and its wartime importance? The next episode of weird in the wade will explore this side of Tempsford’s past and the invaluable contribution women in the Special Operations Executive made to the fight against nazi Germany.

Find show notes and photographs on the show blog
weirdinthewade.blog

Go ad free, get extra content and support the show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade

Thank you to the Bedfordshire Archives.

Thank you to all the wonderful voice actors in this episode

Bryan Bland

Emily Elle Watts

Tess Savigear

Rhiannon Barrow

Steph Lay

Mikey Doyle

And Olie Campbell

Researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig

Theme music and haunted house theme by Tess Savigear

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