Beyond the Headlines: Dive into the Wyrd News from AfterWyrd!

Welcome, fellow seekers of the strange and unusual! If you've been tuning into AfterWyrd, you know that our bonus episodes are where hosts Andy and Craig truly let loose, digging into the bizarre corners of the internet to bring you the most captivating "Wyrd News." This week's installment was no exception, delivering a delightful, and at times unsettling, mix of human oddities, animal antics, and genuinely creepy phenomena. Let's recap the headlines that had us scratching our heads and checking our reflections...

The Thirsty Priest: When Holiness Meets the Hottest Take

First up, a story that perfectly encapsulates the internet's unique blend of reverence and rampant desire. A church, in an attempt to connect with its congregation (we assume), introduced a "hot priest" via a video. The result? A digital stampede of comments so "thirsty" they literally had to be turned off! From "Father, lead me not into temptation unless you're free Friday" to the succinct "I'm Muslim, but Jesus Christ," the online faithful (and not-so-faithful) made their feelings known. It's a testament to the undeniable power of charisma – and perhaps a little too much time scrolling – proving that even sacred spaces aren't immune to the viral allure of a handsome face. It seems the "great schism" of 2025 might just be over who gets to sit in the front pew.

The Modern Vampire: Blood Sausage and Consent-Based Energy Sucking

Forget dusty castles and ancient curses; meet the 21st-century vampire. Helen Schweizer, or "Vampire Helly," isn't your typical neck-biter. This "vampfluencer" from Ohio has garnered over 47,000 TikTok followers by revealing her unique take on the undead lifestyle. While she sports fangs and gothic attire, Helly's real "feeding" comes from energy – ambient energy, to be precise. She emphasizes that deep energy feedings always require consent, making her an ethical (and rather polite) vampire. And for those physical cravings? Forget human blood; Helly prefers a good old-fashioned bloody sausage. Who knew the secret to eternal youth (or at least, sustained TikTok fame) lay in mindful meditation and a trip to the butcher?

Reggie the Randy Dolphin: When "Flipper" Gets a Little Too Friendly

We all love dolphins, right? Playful, intelligent, graceful... but sometimes, they're just a little too friendly. Enter Reggie, the bottlenose dolphin of Lyme Bay, Dorset, who's been making headlines for "basically drowning" two women. Kaiokas reported having to rescue swimmers when Reggie began jumping on and pushing them underwater. While authorities urge caution, suspecting Reggie might be injured or simply too familiar with humans, Andy and Craig delved into the more... biological possibilities. Dolphins, it turns out, can be quite "randy," and their interactions aren't always as innocent as they seem. This story serves as a stark reminder: when you're in their territory, even a beloved marine mammal can quickly become a surprisingly strong (and perhaps inappropriately affectionate) force of nature.

The Cursed Parcel: The Return of the Embroidered Horse

Finally, a tale that truly sends shivers down the spine. A woman on TikTok shared her unsettling experience with a "creepy picture of an embroidered horse." After her daughter sold it on Vinted, received good feedback, and confirmed delivery, the parcel mysteriously returned to their home. Not only that, but it was delivered to her ex-mother-in-law's house before making its way back to her. Untampered, perfectly packaged, and with the buyer's acceptance confirmed – it was the same picture. Was it a simple postal error? Or, as some TikTok users suggested, a haunted picture with a spirit that simply refused to leave? The story echoed other tales of unwanted objects returning, like a mysteriously reappearing wooden clog. Sometimes, it seems, you just can't get rid of what's meant to stay.

What do you make of these wyrd headlines? Have you encountered any thirsty priests, consensual energy vampires, or aggressively amorous marine life? And have you ever had an object refuse to leave your home? Let us know in the comments below.

The Wyrd and Wonderful Lore of Cornwall

Our journey into the wild heart of Cornwall began on a foggy morning on Dartmoor. After a night of creepy noises (and the discovery of a newly acquired snoring habit), we made our way to Buckfast Abbey. This impressive monastery, founded by King Canute, was rebuilt stone by stone by exiled French monks after its destruction by Henry VIII. We discussed how this incredible spiritual resurrection gave rise to the abbey's infamous tonic wine—a drink with its own wild folklore.

Into the Mines and Woods

Venturing deeper into the Cornish landscape, we visited Carnaby's Caverns to talk about the brutal history of tin mining. This dangerous work gave birth to one of Cornwall's most famous legends: the Knockers. These small, gnome-like spirits were heard by miners deep underground, sometimes warning them of a cave-in, and other times leading them astray. As the industry declined, these miners migrated and took the spirits with them, where they evolved into the Tommy Knockers of the American West.

We then drove to Golitha Falls, an ancient woodland on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Here, the landscape is alive with faerie folk and a primal kind of mystery. We shared the tragic tale of King Doniot, who drowned here in 875 AD, and the legend of the Lady of the Falls, a spectral figure forever tied to this sorrowful spot.

Stones, Pools, and Ancient Curses

From the woods, we followed the trail of ancient stones, visiting the Hurlers and the Pipers—men who were turned to stone for playing the traditional Cornish sport of hurling on a Sunday. We also made our way to Dozemary Pool, a body of water steeped in dual legends. It is said to be the resting place of King Arthur's Excalibur, but also holds a darker secret. It is where a wicked lawyer named Jan Tregeagle is condemned to an eternity of torment, trying to empty the pool with a limpet shell.

The Road of Ghosts and Smugglers

As we traversed the desolate stretch of the A30 across Bodmin Moor, we encountered legends born of a darker history. The road was a stage for Judge Jeffreys' "Bloody Assizes," a merciless judicial massacre in 1685. This grim past seems to have given rise to modern folklore, including the Hairy Hands, disembodied hands that grab the steering wheels of passing cars. We also talked about the most famous resident of the moor, the elusive big cat known as the Beast of Bodmin.

Our journey ended at the legendary Jamaica Inn. Built in 1750, this isolated inn was a notorious hub for smugglers and wreckers, whose secrets were buried beneath its floors. It's also the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's classic novel, Jamaica Inn, which cemented the inn's dark legend. But the history and literature are only half the story. The inn is also one of the UK's most famous paranormal hotspots, haunted by spectral coaches, a murdered smuggler, and even ghostly children.

Pirates and Witchcraft

To wrap up our deep dive into Cornwall's dark heart, we talked about a figure who truly bridges crime and the supernatural: Captain John Piers. A ruthless 16th-century pirate, his success was whispered to be due to his mother, Ann Piers, who was accused of witchcraft while trying to sell her son's stolen silver. The local belief was that she used dark powers to aid his plundering. It’s that raw intersection of human desperation and the very real belief in unseen forces that makes this story, and all of Cornwall, so unique.

Stay with us as we continue to explore more places where Cornwall's deep history and its wyrd beliefs collide!

From Urban Legends to Cosmic Tunnels: Your AfterWyrd News Roundup

Hello and welcome back to AfterWyrd, the place where we dive into all the weirdness that didn't quite fit into the main show. It's been a busy week, with one of us even attending a UFO conference, but before we get into that, let's talk about the weird news that’s got the Wyrdos talking.

We started with a confession, as one of us revealed we've been giving out the wrong social media handle for the last two years. Turns out there's another "Wyrd Wessex" on Instagram, which led to a few awkward mix-ups, including confusing the artist of the "Warminster Thing" mural. But as one of the hosts pointed out, this is all just a part of immersing ourselves in the weird.

A Familiar Face: Big Cats in the Midlands

For a while, it seemed the UK’s most elusive cryptid had gone to ground, but a recent spike in sightings in Worcestershire proves that the big cats are still out there. The latest report comes from a train driver who had a brief but terrifying encounter with a large black panther as it crossed the tracks ahead of him between the M5 and Bromsgrove. The anonymous driver described the creature as having a long, low-sweeping tail and being "definitely feline in shape and movement."

While one of us expressed our hesitation about anonymous reports, the sheer number of recent sightings in the area—including from a family by a canal in Droitwich and a separate observer in Pershore—suggests something is going on. We also learned that big cat expert Rick Minter is investigating, which only adds to the mystery. As one of the hosts, we can't help but wonder if our fascination with these animals is clouding our judgement. But as we said on the show, if we ever saw one, we definitely wouldn't shut up about it!

A Trio of Cosmic Tales

Next up, we abandoned Earth and went straight for the cosmos, because the universe is proving to be a lot stranger than we once thought.

First, a story from Earth.com revealed that astronomers have discovered an interstellar tunnel that connects our solar system to distant stars. This channel of hot, low-density plasma stretches out from our "local hot bubble" towards constellations like Centaurus. Our immediate thought? This could be a natural highway for UAPs to get here. While we don't know for sure, it's an exciting prospect that the universe is far more interconnected than we previously imagined.

Next, a NASA scientist named Dr. David Grinspoon is suggesting that the dwarf planet Ceres could have life-supporting seas. Dr. Grinspoon believes there may be liquid water inside the planet. The evidence? A bright salt deposit found in one of its craters, which is a sign that water was once there. This kind of research proves that even planets we once thought were "dead" are still full of surprises.

Was It a UFO, the Devil, or... Ball Lightning?

Finally, we tackled a story that fits squarely into the intersection of science and the paranormal: ball lightning. A couple in Canada were watching a storm when a bolt of lightning created a glowing orb that eerily hovered over their home. It floated for 23 seconds before disappearing with a "pop." While some might assume this was a UFO, the couple's sighting is a perfect example of the mysterious ball lightning phenomenon.

While scientists still have no widely accepted explanation for it, ball lightning has been described for centuries, often being blamed on demons or wizards. In fact, strange glowing orbs were often explained as "willow the wisps." During a church service in Woodcombe, a ball of fire reportedly entered the church. During the Siege of Leningrad, soldiers reported seeing strange glowing orbs that moved erratically. The fact that a natural phenomenon can still baffle experts and be confused with something supernatural just goes to show you that there's always something new to learn.

On that note, we hope you've enjoyed this AfterWyrd roundup. Be sure to check out the full episode where we also talk about the "Paul-ception" of our guests and why you should don't blame the owls.

Witches, Highwaymen, and Long-Legged Cryptids: A Day on the Wyrd Wessex Road Trip

The road trip has officially begun! We're hitting the tarmac for a journey through some of the West Country's most mysterious and legend-haunted spots. For our first day, we went from ancient henges and ghost bells to UFOs and the ominous silence of Dartmoor.

Knowlton Rings: Where a Ruined Church Hides a Pagan Heart

Our first stop was Knowlton Rings, a striking, ruined Norman church sitting right in the center of a massive Neolithic henge complex. This wasn't an accident. We learned that this was a classic move by early Christians to claim power over older, pagan beliefs. But the old power seems to have fought back. The village was wiped out by the Black Death, and the church itself has been left to crumble.

But that's not even the wyrdest part! Local folklore tells the grim tale of a bell from this very church that was either stolen by thieves, moved by an unseen force, or nabbed by the Devil himself. The story goes that those who tried to steal it met a grisly end, and to this day, you can supposedly hear its phantom tolling from the nearby river.

The whole place is a hotbed of paranormal activity, with reports of disembodied whispers, sudden temperature drops, and a whole host of apparitions, from a weeping nun to a menacing figure in black. It's a reminder that sometimes the oldest stories have the most powerful ghosts.

Wind Whistle Hill: The A30's Most Haunted Stretch

From Dorset, we headed to Somerset and the infamous A30, specifically the stretch around Wind Whistle Hill. This isn't your average road trip stop; according to UFO researcher Gloria Heather Dixon of BUFORA, this is a hotbed of supernatural sightings.

This road's history is as dark as its present. It was once a haunt for murderous highwaymen who hid both their treasure and their victims' bodies in the surrounding caves. Then there's the legend of a witch, supposedly killed by a passing stagecoach, whose spirit still lingers.

But the most mind-bending stories are modern. We talked about the Walker family, who not only saw a massive, silent, cigar-shaped UFO and experienced missing time, but also encountered a terrifying, abnormally tall cryptid with "horrendously long and thin" legs that forced them to swerve off the road. It's a tale that's not just an isolated anecdote, but a pattern of sightings that's been reported for decades, including by lorry drivers and others who have seen strange lights and non-human figures.

Wistman's Wood: Stepping into a Dartmoor Nightmare

We left the tarmac and plunged into the ancient, wild heart of Dartmoor, starting with Wistman's Wood. The name itself, from the Old Devon word "wished," means "eerie or uncanny," and you can feel it. The trees here are a gnarled, moss-covered, and ancient mess, a truly unsettling landscape that looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale—or a folk horror film.

This place is steeped in legends of the Wish-Hounds, spectral black dogs with glowing red eyes that hunt lost souls. And if that's not bad enough, you have to worry about being "pixie-led" by the mischievous local piskies.

We also scoped out Vixen Tor, a massive rock outcrop that we almost camped at. It's said to be the home of a terrifying witch named Vixana. Legend claims she lived in a cave beneath the Tor, which she had subjugated earth gnomes build for her. Her favorite pastime was to conjure thick mists to disorient travelers, luring them to sink in the boggy ground at the foot of the Tor while she cackled with glee from above. Her reign of terror ended when a handsome young traveler, who had the power to see through mists and make himself invisible, tricked her into falling into her own boggy trap.

Camping on the Moor: Beast, Burials, and Buckfast

For our final wyrd spot of the day, we pitched a tent on the moor to spend a long, dark night talking about some of Dartmoor's most famous legends. We dove into the mystery of the Beast of Dartmoor, a large predator that some believe is a big cat, while others think it's a native cryptid or even a supernatural entity responsible for the inexplicable, ritualistic-seeming mutilations of livestock on the moor.

We also discussed two haunting human stories. Jay's Grave, where fresh flowers mysteriously appear every day on the burial mound of a young girl who committed suicide. And Child's Tomb, a grim tale of an 11th-century nobleman who froze to death and whose will sparked a bitter race between monks and locals for his land.

To cap off the night, we tried some Buckfast, the caffeinated, fortified wine made by monks. It's got a reputation as a "wreck the hoose juice," but we were more concerned about the caffeine keeping us up all night while we listened for phantom bells and phantom beasts.

What a day. The journey has only just begun. Stay tuned for more wyrdness!

Unicorn Skulls, Radioactive Wasps, and UFOs: The Latest from the Wyrd News Desk

A flurry of bizarre news stories have emerged recently, from a tourist's quest for free beer with a mythical skull to a nuclear facility's unsettling discovery. Here's a deep dive into some of the weirdness you might have missed.

The Great Unicorn Skull Heist

The saga of the "unicorn skull" found in Cornwall has taken a new turn. A Canadian tourist, John Goodwin, allegedly traded the skull for unlimited ale at the Stonehenge Inn. While a barman at the pub confirmed it once had the skull, he claimed it had been sent to a museum, though he could not name which one. This contradicts a report from another publication that said the barman took it home, as it was "freaking him out."

The skull was originally discovered at St. Nectan’s Glen, a site of special scientific interest, meaning its removal was illegal and could carry a fine or even imprisonment. John has since left the UK, leaving behind a pub full of mystery and a skull that a zoo archaeologist has since confirmed to be a horse's skull with a well-made cow's horn attached. The big question remains: Is the skull still hidden away with the pub manager? The mystery, it seems, continues.

Radioactive Wasps and Rhinos

An unsettling tale of radioactive wasps has emerged from a South Carolina nuclear facility. While officials were quick to say there was no danger, a nest found on a post near liquid nuclear waste tanks had radiation levels 10 times the federal limit. The story is linked to a separate anti-poaching campaign in South Africa where rhinos are being injected with radioactive isotopes to deter smugglers. This has led to speculation about the possibility of glowing rhinos and super-wasps roaming the land.

The Warminster Thing and the Warminster Conference

A new, 20-meter mural has been unveiled in Warminster to mark 60 years since the town's UFO frenzy began. The mural, funded by a community group, depicts UFOs, creatures, and key local figures like journalist Arthur Shuttlewood, who documented the events.

The segment also included breaking news of a recent UFO sighting in Gosport, where a dog walker observed two star-like objects circling each other before "accelerating away in opposite directions." This unexplained sighting adds another entry to the UK's rich history of UFO phenomena and serves as a reminder that the truth just might be out there. An upcoming UFO conference in Warminster is also set to explore these enduring mysteries.

The Terrifying Truth of Mirrors in the Bedroom

Finally, a psychic medium on TikTok has shared an age-old superstition about mirrors in the bedroom. According to her, having a mirror facing your bed can act as a portal for "unwanted spirits." She advised covering mirrors with a cloth or blanket to prevent "low vibration" entities from coming into your home and causing restless sleep. Other commenters on the video shared similar experiences, suggesting that if you have a mirror in your bedroom, you might want to consider protective prayers, saging, or at the very least, covering it up.

The Gateshead Grey, All Colours Sam & More! Four Bizarre Encounters With Other Beings

Ever wonder what’s lurking in the forgotten corners of Britain's folklore? We're not talking about your average ghosts and ghouls. In our latest episode, we took a deep dive into four truly mind-bending encounters with strange humanoid figures that have left witnesses baffled for decades.

The Gateshead Grey: A Coal Shovel vs. an Alien

This story takes us back to World War II and a five-year-old boy named Robert Hall. Robert claimed to have encountered a whole group of beings next to an egg-shaped craft in a back alley. They asked to "examine" him, and he had a very British retort: "It’s 1940 and we’re at war with Germany!"

But it gets even more unbelievable. After a visit from the Men in Black, Robert says a Grey alien later tried to snatch him. Luckily, his uncle Ernie was there to save the day, allegedly "bashing its head in with a coal shovel." The body was supposedly put in a coal sack and taken away by the army. It’s a story that’s so uniquely British it's hard to believe... and hard to ignore.

Sam the Sandown Clown: The Most Unsettling Encounter?

From the northeast, we travel to the Isle of Wight in 1973. A girl named Faye was led by a strange wailing sound to a swampy area where she met a seven-foot-tall figure in a bizarre outfit. He introduced himself as "All Colours Sam" and invited her into his two-level hut, which was wallpapered with dials.

The encounter is full of odd details, like Sam's strange eating habit of putting a berry in his ear and it reappearing in his eye socket. The hosts discuss theories ranging from a case of folie à deux—a shared delusion between Faye and her father—to the idea of screen memory, where a bizarre story is planted to mask a genuine abduction. Either way, this tale of a clown-like being is deeply unsettling.

Spring-Heeled Jack: The Victorian Nightmare

Forget aliens; this is a homegrown British nightmare. Spring-Heeled Jack was a widespread phenomenon that terrorized the nation for decades, starting in 1837. Witnesses described a powerful, agile figure who could leap over walls with ease.

His attacks were terrifying. He was said to have glowing red eyes, metallic claws, and, in one famous case involving a woman named Lucy Scales, he spat blue flames directly at her face. Was this a rich eccentric playing a prank? An urban myth born from a mass panic? Or a genuine supernatural entity manifesting in the urban setting of Victorian England? We think all of the above!

The Solway Firth Spaceman: The Photograph That Defies Logic

Finally, we look at the most documented case: the Solway Firth Spaceman photograph from 1964. A firefighter named Jim Templeton took a picture of his five-year-old daughter in a remote field, and when the film was developed, a mysterious figure in a white suit appeared in the background.

Jim was adamant that no one else was there, and Kodak confirmed the photo was not a hoax. The case became so high-profile that Templeton claimed he was visited by the Men in Black who tried to get him to admit he faked the photo. The most plausible explanation is that it's just his wife with her back to the camera, but Jim never believed it. It remains a fascinating and enduring visual mystery.

Which of these four wyrd beings do you think is the most believable? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to listen to the full episode to hear the hosts debate which one would win in a fight!

Inside the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic: A Journey Through Unique Artifacts

Our recent road trip took us to the incredible Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, and we were captivated by the strange, wonderful, and sometimes eerie history on display. We found ourselves face-to-face with four artifacts that tell a compelling story of old folk traditions, magical practices, and the people who believed in them.

The Unseen Protectors

One of the fascinating traditions we saw evidence of was that of concealed cats, believed to offer magical protection for a home. The museum has a pair of these mummified cats that were found under a front door in Bristol. This tradition speaks to a world where magical beliefs were a hands-on part of everyday life, offering a silent guardian against malevolent forces.

The Iron-Strapped Human Skull

Among the museum's most captivating artifacts is this iron-strapped human skull. According to Cecil Williamson, the museum's founder, it belonged to a wise woman from the north Bovey area who affectionately referred to it as “her friend.” She would tell her clients, “Well me dear, I don’t rightly knows what I a do - till I have asked me friend. I’ll let thee know later.” While the story of “Granny Mann” is a powerful piece of its history, we can’t help but wonder who this person was long before the skull became a tool for magic. The thought of this relic is both eerie and beautiful.

The Helmet of the King of Witches

Our visit also brought us face-to-face with a key piece of modern magical history: the ritual helmet that belonged to Alex Sanders, the “King of the Witches.” This incredible artifact was used by Sanders for many years and was adapted several times. Early photographs show it without horns, but in a well-known image on the cover of Stewart Farrar’s book, What Witches Do, it’s shown with straight horns and large feathers. Seeing how the piece evolved truly brings to life the hands-on nature of these magical traditions.

The Strange Case of Harriet

Perhaps the most unique find in the entire museum is “Harriet,” a tarred head that holds an incredible and poignant secret. Initially, she was thought to be a medieval saint or criminal, but forensic tests revealed a much more remarkable truth: Harriet was actually a female Egyptian, mummified with tree resins around 200 BC! Her head was likely stolen by treasure hunters, sold as a fraudulent relic to a European church, and eventually found in the rubble of a bombed-out London church during the war. Her journey through time and belief is a testament to the strange ways artifacts can travel. The exhibit text ends with a powerful plea, asking visitors to not dislike the head and to spare her a kind thought or smile—a poignant reminder that she was once a person who could laugh and cry like us.

These unique artifacts are more than just items in a collection; they are powerful testaments to the enduring nature of folk traditions and magical beliefs.

Frank Turner on History, Folk Music, and Why Heroes Are "Bastards"

Frank Turner is more than a musician; he’s a self-proclaimed "devastatingly tedious history nerd" with a deep pride in his Wessex roots. In an exclusive interview, he talks about his passion for the past, the inspiration behind his song "An English Curse," and his philosophical views on being a songwriter and a contrarian.

Finding the Folk in England

Frank's initial musical influences were American folk artists like Neil Young and Bob Dylan. However, after facing pushback from purists in the traditional music community, he set out to find England’s own folk heritage. He discovered that English folk music, often overshadowed by its Scottish and Irish counterparts, is full of historical storytelling. He delved into the archives of Cecil Sharphouse and listened to artists like Martin and Liza Carthy, realizing there was a way to fuse his love for history with his love for music.

This research led him to write "An English Curse," an a cappella track inspired by the traditional field songs of England. He recalls an amusing incident at the Cambridge Folk Festival, where a group of "aging hipsters" with notepads demanded to know the song’s "provenance." They were "horrified" to learn it was an original composition, an act of subversion he greatly enjoyed.

The Story Behind the Song

The song’s inspiration came from a local folk tale, a version of the death of King William II that Frank found in the book Folk Tales of Hampshire. While academic history points to a plausible assassination by his brother, the folk tale centers on a curse placed on William the Conqueror by a blacksmith named John, whose land was stolen by the Normans.

For Frank, the value of folklore isn't in its historical accuracy but in what it reveals about the people who tell the stories. He believes folklore is a "tiny little fissure through which the other voices can escape," representing the grievances and anti-authoritarian spirit of the common people. He also loves that traditional folk heroes, like the original Robin Hood or Reynard the Fox, were not the sanitized, morally upright figures we know today. They were chaotic "bastards," a character type he finds more interesting and authentic.

An Exercise in Humility

Frank sees the study of history as an "exercise in humility." He finds it strange that not everyone is curious about how the world came to be the way it is. For him, understanding history is a way to recognize the limitations of our own knowledge and to appreciate the lives of those who came before us. He confesses to waking up at night in a panic that he will never read all the books he wants to.

He argues that history is not a moral exercise, and we shouldn't read it just to find people to be angry with. It is an opportunity to learn and to understand that the ethical codes of the past were contingent, just as ours are today.

Music and Activism

While many would label him a "protest singer," Frank is cautious about the title. He views music as an "end in itself," not a means to an end. He writes songs about heartbreak, whiskey, or imposter syndrome just as often as he writes about politics. However, he does believe in using his platform to support causes. He is a patron of Able2UK, a charity that works on disabled access to music venues, and supports Safe Gigs For Women, which tackles sexual harassment at shows. Ultimately, for Frank, the joy of writing songs comes first, and if his work encourages people to think about the world, that is its greatest reward.

Why MP Danny Kruger's Vision of England is a Dangerous Fantasy

This is a response to Danny Krugers speech to parliament a few weeks back. Perhaps Im preaching to the choir here, but I think it’s worth saying. If you haven’t seen it perhaps go check it out first here

I want to talk about Kruger's speech to Parliament a few weeks back. His powerful rhetoric conjures up a romanticised vision of England’s past, but let’s be honest, it paints a dangerous and misleading picture of our present and future.

When you listen to his words, you hear this deep sense of national decline and moral panic. The thing is, his proposed solutions—like enforcing one faith and just tossing aside human rights—they’re not going to fix the country’s problems. In fact, they're the very things that would make them worse.

Let's start with this big claim he made. He said that Parliament has authorised "the killing of the elderly and disabled." That’s not just a rhetorical choice; it’s a total misrepresentation of a bill that actually offers compassion to the terminally ill. The "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill" isn’t some license for a cull of the vulnerable. It's a carefully considered piece of legislation with really strong safeguards.

This bill is designed for mentally competent adults with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less. The key word here is "choice." It's a bill that gives people the dignity to end their suffering on their own terms, free from coercion, with both medical and legal oversight. To frame this as a great sin is to completely ignore the profound pain and suffering many people face at the end of their lives. It's to deny them the very autonomy that’s a cornerstone of our modern society.

And here’s something even more alarming: Kruger's rhetoric goes from defending his own faith to actually calling for the active oppression of others. I mean, the most recent census shows the UK’s population is 46.2% Christian. That makes you wonder why he feels so oppressed. His suggestion that other religions, including Islam, paganism, and druidry, must be “pushed back to the fringes” and “banished from public life, schools and universities” is just… a chilling echo of a time we should have left behind.

As we’ve discussed on a previous episode, the Church of England's own history includes the brutal suppression of even other Christians, with the persecution of Catholics directly leading to events like the Gunpowder Plot.

The 'horrific' and violent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was also covered up within the Church of England for decades, according to the conclusion of a damning report released last year.

This is a stunning display of perceived victimhood from a member of the majority faith—a faith that is still the "chaplain to the nation"—against minority groups who are just trying to exist and worship freely. A healthy, confident faith doesn't need to destroy others to thrive; it can exist peacefully right alongside them. This call for religious cleansing, no matter how politely he says it, is a direct challenge to the very idea of a pluralistic, tolerant Britain.

When Kruger laments that a decline in Christianity is the cause of all the nation’s problems, it’s a super convenient deflection. It completely ignores the real, tangible failures that have led us to where we are: a political class that's often accused of corruption, a public health system in crisis, and an economy that leaves a lot of people feeling insecure.

And as an example of this political class, it's worth noting that Kruger, who is my former local MP, is a Member of Parliament who receives an annual salary of over £93,000. And like all MPs, he's claimed significant amounts in business costs, including rent for a London flat and other office expenses. Blaming the country's woes on "innocent people" who follow different spiritual paths is a disingenuous and cowardly move.

The truth is, society's morals—our collective understanding that we shouldn't steal, lie, or cheat—don't come from a monopoly of one religion. They’re the practical, shared rules of a functional society, developed over thousands of years to let people live together in peace, no matter what they believe.

Finally, let's talk about his most poetic and dangerous metaphor: “To worship human rights is to worship fairies.” Kruger meant this as a damning indictment, suggesting that our secular rights are imaginary. But we can flip that on its head. The “fairy rights” he dismisses are the very bedrock of our freedom.

The right to free speech, the right to worship as we choose (or not at all), and the right to bodily autonomy are not the product of a singular, state-enforced faith. They are the hard-won victories of people who fought to create a society where no single group could impose its will on everyone else. To abandon these "fairy rights" for a government that enforces a "common creed" would not be a return to some golden age. It would be a return to the dark ages of religious persecution, the end of our pluralistic society, and the beginning of a dictatorship of faith.

Woodchester mansion

While sorting out my hard drive I found this which is dated 2013. Not sure if that’s an accurate date, but it could be. While my opinions may have changed since then, I thought some might find it an amusing, if skeptical read about a ghost hunting experience in Woodchester mansion. In the piece I say Im an atheist, I would probably be more akin to agnostic these days, but anywho - enjoy:

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I attended this ghost hunt as an atheist who has had more intense paranormal type experiences than most believers. As a teenager I awoke, one morning, to find that something was sitting on my chest pinning me to my bed. I couldn't move at all. I tried to call out for help to my Mum who I could hear was busy about the house, but found that I had no voice. This lasted for probably a few seconds, though felt much longer in my terrified state. At the time it seemed like some kind of paranormal experience, which I was told was an evil spirit or some such nonsense. Of course I have since found out that this can be explained by science and is known as sleep paralysis - still terrifying when it happens. 

I had hoped to experience something similarly paranormal at this event, even if it had another explanation. I love the science and psychology behind paranormal experiences. I do not intend to change anyone's mind, just give my experience. I hope that I do not offend the haunted happenings team or any of the other guests, I would love to join you again at another event. This is just my honest account, anything else would not be true to myself.

The evening began with a brief introduction to haunted happenings and the team (Dave, Vicky and Carolyn ( a medium). We were also joined by Chris from Woodchester mansion.

Chris began the night by giving us a tour of the building. There were to be certain areas we would concentrate our experiments later in the evening:

• Bathroom

• Kitchen

• Upper/middle floor corridor

• Chapel

• Basement

Chris and the haunted happenings team very professionally refused to give us any tales of sightings, ghosts or previous experiences that might sway our experience. However we were given a very full history/folk tales? of the building and its grounds, which included most notably talk of Kitchen staff and the deaths of several airmen who drowned in the lake and the possibility of their bodies having been temporarily stored in the game room.

We returned to the base room and were split into several smaller groups for the rest of the night. We were to be in group C - a lovely bunch, who were up for a laugh. We were shown how to use several pieces of equipment and stopped for a brief tea break. My first experience of the building alone, as I wondered through the building to the loo!

Our first vigal was held with Vicky in the basement, where we attempted table tipping. After some time of small table movements and several questions being asked of the spirits, Vicky suggested we ask if there was a Michael or Edward present, we got a reaction to Michael in the form of a small tap. Vicky then thought she heard foot steps in the basement corridor and asked if someone wanted to check. I volunteered and was joined by the very enthusiastic Diane.

We stood in the dark of the corridor and received small taps in response to questions, mainly revolving around the now named spirit of Michael. My wife, Emma, later informed me that the taps were actually made by people's torches hanging from wrist straps (including her own) and knocking against the table. Diane believes she saw a light at the end of the corridor, but I couldn't see it. I think it was probably light reflecting off of the safety signs on the wall, as it wasn't pitch black.

It was then time to join Dave in the Kitchen for a Ouji board.

Several yes/no questions on the Ouji established we had a 35 year old woman present who was a cook in the Kitchen of the house, had no children and lived there alone. There were several garbled attempts at getting a name from the Ouji before someone suggested asking if, in fact, the spirit could spell. Luckily she said yes, as no one had thought how she would tell us, if she couldn't read the board!

A further attempt at getting a name spelled something along the lines of Scillia, which was confirmed by the spirit with a 'yes'.

Dave, who'd been in the larder, returned and suggested we ask if there were any children present. Scillia told us there were, despite previously saying she lived alone.

We established it was a 4 year old girl, but again no real name was spelled out.

The next location was a corridor on the middle floor with Carolyn. We tried 2 locations and called out to the spirits. Some time later, with nothing having happened (apart from a bat flying past my face) we returned to the base room.

Having an hour free me and Emma had an explore of all areas ourselves. We went everywhere and experienced nothing paranormal. We even had a go at Ouji, but it never even moved.

Our next vigal, with Carolyn was in the Bathroom with the K2 and again nothing happened. We moved to the cupboard next door, which was pitch black. Placed the K2 on the floor and formed a circle. Again nothing happened, I almost fell asleep, but then Carolyn made a connection with a male spirit, who apparently favoured feminine looking male company. 

After this a few reported feeling cold and there was a squeaky kind of noise, that sounded like leather boots moving, which I believe came from a girl opposite us, though this was denied.

At the next location we joined Yvette, aka Dave, on the top floor corridor. This time as well as a Ouji board we had a K2 on the floor and a noise detector at the far end of the corridor. This flashes a red led if a loud noise is detected.

We were told by Dave about a photo of a ww2 airman ghost that had been taken in this area and he played a bit of music to encourage contact. Sure enough an airmen came through on the Ouji - spooky!

His name was established as John, a name thrown out at the beginning of, and throughout the night by a member of our team, but only just making contact.

Next Dave thought he saw something and completely $#*\ himself. I think he'd have ran off, but our group was in the way of his exit. The noise detector flashed a couple of times due to the groups laughter at Dave, causing much of the group to scream loudly – causing, you guessed it, more flashing!

Our final vigal was with Vicky in the game room next to the chapel. We opted to use the planchette and a series of yes/no questions was asked, despite no one establishing what meant yes or no. Once I pointed this out we discovered our airmen John from upstairs had joined us with 3 friends who apparently drowned in the lake (just like Chris told us earlier?) 

We moved on to table tipping, which resulted in more screaming as the table tipped over to the floor. This happened twice. Emma later informed me that she could feel the table being pushed by another member of the group and that once it got to a certain point she had assisted! I did note that it tipped in the same direction both times.

And that concluded our ghost hunting.

In conclusion Woodchester mansion is a very nice example of French gothic architecture, but in my opinion is in no way haunted. As Douglas Adams said "isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies living at the bottom of it?"

The Terrifying "Soul Farm" and Other Bizarre Discoveries

A Man's Near-Death Experience Reveals a Horrifying "Soul Farm"

Stories from those who have been revived after being clinically dead are often profoundly peaceful. However, a man who was dead for six minutes shares an account that is far from serene, suggesting a terrifying truth about our existence. His experience, which began with a peaceful white light, quickly turned into a horrifying encounter with "cruel, unsympathetic overlords." These beings, he claims, revealed that our universe is not a spontaneous occurrence but a "farm used to produce souls." Our ultimate purpose, he was told, is to "ripen" until we are ready to serve them on a higher plane.

This harrowing narrative stands in stark contrast to the experience of a nurse who died for a brief period due to a severe allergic reaction. She described her near-death experience as a serene journey to a place of "incredible light and rich color," where she was reunited with her deceased loved ones and even briefly saw Jesus. This juxtaposition of terrifying and peaceful near-death experiences raises a profound question: Are these experiences the result of brain activity and trauma, or do they offer a genuine glimpse into an afterlife?

A 6,000-Year-Old Sunken City is Ignored for Decades

A potential archaeological discovery that could rewrite human history has been mysteriously ignored for over two decades. In 2001, a team of explorers using sonar near Cuba discovered what appeared to be the ruins of a sprawling, ancient city over 2,000 feet underwater. The scans showed what looked like multiple pyramids and circular structures, leading researchers to speculate the city could be more than 6,000 years old.

Despite the monumental nature of the find, follow-up expeditions never took place. Fellow scientists voiced skepticism, arguing it would have taken up to 50,000 years for a city to sink that far and that the structures were likely natural formations. The story serves as a reminder of the challenges and costs involved in researching these kinds of discoveries and leaves us to wonder if a great secret of human history is lying at the bottom of the ocean.

UFOs, Alien Communication, and a Military Jet Strike

The latest news on UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena is a mix of the bizarre and the potentially groundbreaking. A TikToker claiming to be an "interdimensional communicator" insists that a large alien ship, named 31 Atlas, is approaching Earth. She reassures us that the beings are not hostile and are only making themselves detectable to provide a boost to our "energy and our consciousness." She also claims a high-level group is already in contact with them.

In a more grounded, yet equally strange, story, declassified documents from the FAA reveal that a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet was struck by an unknown object over Arizona in 2023. The military officially classified the object as a drone, but with a record of 757 UAP incidents logged by the Pentagon between May 2023 and June 2024, the incident adds to the growing mystery of what's really in our skies. As one UFO filmmaker pointed out, if these UAPs are not foreign military technology, then what's left to explain them?

Finding the Ents of Avebury: A Sobering Reminder to Leave No Trace

Our recent staycation led us to the ancient heart of Wyrd Wessex, a landscape steeped in myth and history. Our destination: Avebury, a place that feels less like a historical site and more like a living, breathing chapter from a fantasy novel. As we walked among the monumental stones, we were drawn to a copse of majestic beech trees, their gnarled trunks and sprawling canopies giving the impression of an assembly of ancient, watchful beings.

In this moment, it was impossible not to think of J.R.R. Tolkien. His great love for trees, so famously articulated in his writing, felt palpable here. The rustle of the leaves and the creak of the ancient bark seemed to be the very breath of these silent giants. It’s no wonder that these majestic trees are widely rumored to have inspired the Ents, the tree-herds of Fangorn Forest. Standing beneath their shade, you can easily imagine them waking, stretching their limbs, and speaking in a slow, deep tongue.

But our reverie was broken by a sobering conversation with a dedicated volunteer. He shared a disheartening reality: a significant portion of time is spent meticulously removing ribbons, trinkets, and other offerings left by well-meaning visitors. The well-intentioned desire to connect with the site, to leave a mark or make a wish, was ironically leading to the very slow harm of these beautiful trees. The synthetic materials of the ribbons don't break down, and the constant additions can restrict growth and damage the delicate bark.

This message hit home even harder when we stumbled upon a newly carved name etched into a tree’s surface. Then, just a few feet away, a stark and powerful piece of irony: a ribbon tied to a branch, with the words 'Leave No Trace' written upon it. The message clearly lost on the person who left it.

These ancient sites—places of immense natural and historical significance—are not simply backdrops for our photos or canvases for our expressions. They are fragile ecosystems, cared for by dedicated people and preserved for future generations. Our role should be one of guardianship, not ownership. We must become stewards, not just visitors.

So, how can we honor these places without harming them? How can we connect with the spirit of the trees without leaving a physical mark?

My thought goes to a different kind of offering. Instead of a ribbon or a carving, consider a simple, respectful act: giving the trees a drink of water. As you stand before one of these ancient giants, take a moment to pour a little water at its roots. As you do, you can make your wish, say your prayer, or simply offer a moment of gratitude. This is an act of reciprocity—a small gesture of care that respects both the tree and the people who work tirelessly to protect this special site.

It's a way to leave a blessing, not a trace. It’s about being better guardians of these places, ensuring that the magic we feel today can be experienced by countless others who will walk among the stones and the Ents of Avebury tomorrow. Let’s connect with nature in a way that truly honors its spirit.

Is Bigfoot's Footprint a Poem? A Chat with Alex Stevenson

Most people think of Bigfoot as an elusive ape, but what if we've been looking at the legend all wrong? That's the core idea behind Alex Stevenson's deep dive into the subject. We recently sat down with Alex to chat about his dissertation, "The missing poetics of footprints in mid 20th century American cryptozoological writing," and the conversation completely changed how we think about Bigfoot.

Bigfoot: A Story of "Missingness"

Alex's academic work connects two seemingly different worlds: 1960s literary theory and Bigfoot research. He explains that thinkers like Jacques Derrida were fascinated by the "trace," or the idea that language is defined by what's not there—the missing thing that leaves a mark. At the same time, Bigfoot hunters were obsessed with a very physical trace: a massive footprint. For Alex, these footprints aren't just scientific evidence; they're the poetic heart of the mystery. Whether you believe in Bigfoot or not, the footprint itself is a story, a symbol of a wild world that still exists just beyond our reach.

Ivan T. Sanderson: The Flamboyant Pioneer

A key figure in Alex's research is Ivan T. Sanderson, a British explorer who became one of the "fathers of cryptozoology." While his colleague Bernard Heuvelmans took a more serious, scientific approach, Sanderson was all about the spectacle. He understood that to reach the masses, he had to write with a fire and a theatrical flair that made his work exciting to the public.

Sanderson's legacy, Alex argues, is not just in his theories but in his ability to inspire a grassroots movement. In places like Willow Creek, California, he encouraged people to cast the footprints they found. This created a culture where hundreds of people were actively involved, turning the search for Bigfoot into an entire community and, eventually, a new tourism-based economy for an area with a dying logging industry. It's a truly poetic idea: a new symbol of the wild growing where the old one, the giant redwood, once stood.

The Film That Changed Everything

We've all seen the Patterson-Gimlin film. For many, it's the defining evidence for Bigfoot. But Alex suggests it also did something else—it "scrambled the poetics." Before the film, Bigfoot was an image built by the imagination of a community, piecing together various footprints and stories. But once that single, definitive image was put on film, it narrowed the mystery. Instead of a fluid, ever-evolving legend, Bigfoot became tied to a specific visual, making the conversation about a simple binary: real or fake.

From Cryptids to the Human Psyche

So, where does Alex stand on the existence of these creatures? Annoyingly, he prefers not to answer with a simple "yes" or "no." His work is less about proving Bigfoot's existence and more about exploring why we're so drawn to the idea. He sees the legend as a reflection of our own primitive roots and our desire to believe that wild, untamed places still exist. Ultimately, the footprint of Bigfoot might not tell us much about the creature itself, but it can tell us a whole lot about ourselves.

Our Wyrd Staycation: Finally Visiting Our Local Stones

You know how it is—you live twenty minutes away from one of the most famous monuments in the world, but you never actually get around to visiting it. Well, as part of our staycation, we finally made the trip! There’s something special about seeing those massive, ancient stones in person, especially when you know the wild folklore behind them.

The history is steeped in magic, with the most famous story coming from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain. The legend says the stones were called the "Giants' Dance" and originally stood in Ireland. After a great battle, the British king, Aurelius Ambrosius, wanted to build a monument to honour 460 nobles who had been killed. His wizard, Merlin, suggested bringing the Giants' Dance over because the stones were believed to have magical healing powers. When the nobles, including the future King Uther Pendragon, laughed at him, Merlin explained the stones were set up by giants who had brought them from Africa. An army was sent, but they couldn't budge the stones, so Merlin had to use his magic to transport them to the Salisbury Plain himself!

Speaking of stone circles and their incredible stories, you might remember our chat with storyteller Dawn Nelson back in Episode 18 of the podcast. It’s a topic that’s always fascinated us, and seeing Stonehenge in person really brings all those myths to life.

And for a bit of a cheeky fact, a study last year named Stonehenge one of the most "overrated" tourist attractions in the world! Apparently, the high ticket prices and not being able to get too close to the stones can leave some people feeling a bit underwhelmed. But for me, standing there, knowing all the wyrd history and legends, was anything but overrated.

Have you visited Stonehenge? Do you think it's worth the hype? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The Thing About the Thing Is... Sometimes It's a Mural!

A New Mural for the Warminster Thing

A massive shout-out to our listener, Claire Mullin, who tipped us off about something wyrd and wonderful happening in Warminster! She let us know that an incredible new mural has appeared in the town, celebrating its bizarre history with UFOs, so we had to go and check it out.

For those who don't know, back in the mid-1960s, Warminster became a hotspot for UFO sightings. The whole thing kicked off with a mysterious "banging" or "rasping" sound, and it was local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood who first wrote about "The Thing" that was terrorizing the town. After that, the sightings of strange lights, hovering crafts, and inexplicable aerial phenomena just took off, turning Warminster into the UK's capital of high strangeness.

The new mural, created by local artist Paul Boswell, really captures that history. The 20m-long spray-painted artwork, which was funded by a community Facebook group, features flying saucers, strange creatures, and a portrait of Arthur Shuttlewood himself. Paul, who grew up in the area, even mentioned he used to go UFO spotting on Clay Hill as a teenager hoping to be "taken away by aliens!"

And the timing couldn’t be better, because this month there's a UFO conference scheduled in the town to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first sightings. The organiser, Stuart Dike, and retired detective and UFO archivist John Hanson were both at the mural unveiling. It’s a chance for local enthusiasts and experts to celebrate Warminster's strange legacy and discuss a mystery that, 60 years on, is still part of the town’s identity.

If you’re a fan of our show, you've got to go and see the mural. It's a fantastic piece of art and a great nod to a classic British enigma.

If you want to hear our full deep dive into the story, you can listen back to Episode 23 where we covered the Warminster Thing in detail.

Have you seen it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Slender Man Update, Alien Probes & Dino-Beavers: A Rundown of AfterWyrd

Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd, the place where Andy and Craig cram all the weirdness they can't fit into the main show. This episode is packed with updates on old cases, bizarre news, and some very strange personal stories.

A Slender Man Update

The episode kicks off with Craig providing an update on the Slender Man stabbing case. Morgan, one of the two teenagers involved, has been approved for a conditional release from a mental hospital. The hosts discuss the public debate surrounding her release, her diagnosis of schizophrenia, and the legal nuances of being found "not guilty by reason of insanity." They also mention the confusion in news articles regarding Morgan's gender transition and the use of pronouns.

Alien Probes and the Dark Forest

Andy then presents a wild news story about a newly discovered interstellar object, 31 Atlas, which some Harvard scientists believe could be an alien probe. The hosts discuss the Dark Forest Hypothesis—the theory that alien civilizations remain silent out of fear of drawing attention from hostile forces. They even connect this to a previous clip from a UFO researcher who warned that governments might fabricate an alien threat.

The Pentagon's Ghostbusters

Next, Craig dives into a new documentary that exposes a shadowy group of US government officials who have been investigating paranormal phenomena for decades. From Project Stargate to the famous Skinwalker Ranch, the story is full of bizarre reports of "dino-beavers," psychic powers, and UFOs. The hosts discuss how this fringe group of "paranormal believers" had gained influence inside the Pentagon and even considered detonating a nuclear bomb to attract UFOs.

A Stranger Under the Bed

The episode wraps up with a terrifying, real-life story of a woman who found a man hiding under her hotel bed in Tokyo. The hosts question how the police and hotel staff handled the incident and then share a personal anecdote about Craig's own late-night encounter with a stranger.

The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui: An In-Depth Look at Britain's Most Mysterious Mountain Ghost

Hello and welcome to Wyrd Wessex! In our latest episode, we took a deep dive into one of the most chilling and perplexing mysteries in all of the British Isles: the legend of the Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui. This isn't your typical ghost story. It’s a decades-old enigma haunting Scotland’s second-highest peak, where something unseen has been terrifying some of the world's most experienced mountaineers.

The Most Famous Encounter

The story's roots go back to 1891 with the renowned Professor J. Norman Collie. As a distinguished chemist, a pioneering mountaineer, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, Collie was not a man prone to flights of fancy. Yet, while descending the mountain in a dense mist, he heard something unnerving: giant footsteps following him, taking strides three or four times the length of his own. Overcome with an indescribable terror, he ran blindly for miles, later confessing that something was "very queer about the top of Ben Macdui" and he would never return.

A Mountain of Unsettling Stories

Collie's account was far from an isolated incident. Over the years, countless other climbers have reported similar, and sometimes even stranger, experiences:

• The "Psychic" Encounter: Mountaineer Peter Densham twice had a deep sense of dread on the mountain, once feeling a cold pressure on his neck and a force pushing him toward a deadly cliff.

• The Brown Creature: A friend of climber Richard Frere, attempting to spend a night alone on the summit, was terrorized by an intense sense of presence before witnessing a massive, brown, swaggering creature he estimated to be over 20 feet tall.

• The Demonic Sighting: A respected lawyer and veteran mountaineer, George Duncan, was so shaken by his sighting of a devil-like figure in a black robe on the mountain's slopes that he felt a cold shiver run down his spine, an experience he never had before or since.

Beyond the Grey Man

The mystery isn't limited to just a spectral figure. The mountain seems to be a nexus for all sorts of unusual phenomena.

• Ghostly Music and Voices: Many have reported hearing beautiful, swelling pipe music, baritone voices singing, and even a "spectral orchestra" in the silent, misty conditions.

• Time Slip Visions: Mountaineer Frank S. Smythe had a vivid and terrifying vision of a massacre on the mountain, an event he later learned was historically plausible for the area.

• Benevolent Beings: Not all encounters were frightening. Mahayana Buddhist Captain Sir Hugh Rankin and his wife saw and conversed with a tall, peaceful figure they instantly recognized as a Bodhisattva, a perfected being of their faith.

Explaining the Unexplained

So, what is the Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui? The logical brain offers a few explanations:

• Brocken Spectre: An optical illusion where a person's shadow is magnified and distorted by mist.

• Infrasound: Low-frequency sound waves generated by wind and geology that can cause feelings of anxiety, dread, and a sense of presence.

• Hallucination: The extreme isolation, fatigue, and cold can certainly play tricks on the mind.

But as we highlighted in the episode, the most compelling part of this legend is that these experiences are reported almost exclusively on Ben Macdui by some of the most seasoned and rational climbers in the world. Whatever the cause—be it scientific, paranormal, or something completely unknown—it's clear that this mountain holds a secret that continues to fascinate and terrify to this day.

For more deep dives into the weird and wonderful, be sure to check out our latest episode and follow us on our socials! You can also find our show on Substack at weirdwessex.co.uk to get notifications about new content.

Stay Wyrd!

AfterWyrd: Ozzy's Legacy, Loft Phroggers & Fake Sperm Races!

Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd, the show where we dive into the strange, the mysterious, and the downright bizarre stuff we couldn't squeeze into our regular episodes. This time, we're talking about a rock legend, a terrifying home invasion, and a few other head-scratchers.

Ozzy Osbourne's Legacy The episode kicks off with a tribute to the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, who recently passed away. The hosts discuss his massive impact on music and his role in popularizing the occult and paranormal in rock. They also touch on the personal connection he had to many fans and his incredible final performance.

The "Unicorn" Skull Next, they discuss a peculiar news story about a man who reportedly found a unicorn skull in Cornwall and traded it for "unlimited beer" at a pub. The hosts muse on the authenticity of the find and where such a strange artifact should ultimately end up.

The "Frogger" in the Loft The podcast takes a creepy turn with a chilling story from 2009. A man set up a camera to catch his girlfriend stealing food, only to discover a stranger was secretly living in his loft and creeping around his apartment at night. The hosts react to the genuinely unsettling video footage of the incident.

The Fake Sperm Race The show wraps up with a story about a "world's first sperm race" that turned out to be a fake. The event, which drew a large online audience, used pre-recorded footage and CGI to simulate a race that had already taken place, leaving the hosts in a state of disbelief and amusement.

A Conversation with Maxim Furek: Demonic Hauntings, Psychic Sasquatch, and UFOs

We had an incredible, wide-ranging conversation with author and paranormal researcher Maxim Furek, covering everything from demonic entities to the mysterious nature of Bigfoot.

The Smurl Haunting and Annabelle's Power

The conversation started with Maxim's book, The Smurl Haunting: The True Story of the Smurl Family's Battle with a Demonic Entity. He explained the harrowing experience of the Smurl family and how the famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren became involved. Maxim also shared his personal experience with the Annabelle doll, which he saw on display, and brought up the chilling visions and hauntings that followed the Shepton mining disaster.

A New Theory for Bigfoot and UFOs

The discussion took a fascinating turn when we got to Bigfoot. Maxim introduced the interdimensional hypothesis, a theory from researcher Jacques Vallée. Vallée argues that the idea of aliens traveling for light-years is outdated. Instead, he believes UFOs and cryptids, like Bigfoot, use wormholes to fold space-time, allowing them to travel through dimensions. This theory provides a logical explanation for the strange connection between UFOs and Bigfoot sightings, especially in a place called Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania.

The Best Evidence for Bigfoot's Existence

The conversation wouldn't be complete without discussing the evidence. Maxim highlighted the two most authentic pieces of proof: the Malacca ape film and the famous Patterson-Gimlin film. He told the amazing story of British paleontologist John Napier, who initially called the Patterson-Gimlin film a hoax. However, after the discovery of the "Lucy" fossil in 1974, which had the body of an ape and the ability to walk upright, Napier changed his mind, stating that the film was authentic.

The hosts also brought up their own research into Leif Erikson's accounts of "skrælings" from the Viking era, which have descriptions eerily similar to Bigfoot. Maxim confirmed this link, noting that while "Bigfoot" is a modern name, the legend of Sasquatch has been a part of indigenous cultures for thousands of years.

A Final Message

Finally, we talked about why Bigfoot is so popular today. Maxim explained that it's become a massive "cottage industry" with documentaries, books, and expos, all of which keep the legend alive and well. He also gave his own take on what Bigfoot could be, weighing the popular theory that it's the extinct ape Gigantopithecus against the interdimensional hypothesis. He concluded that the lack of a body points toward the interdimensional theory.

The conversation ended with a powerful message about conservation. Maxim hopes that our fascination with Bigfoot, which some indigenous cultures believe is a protector of the environment, will inspire us to be better stewards of our planet.

Is Bigfoot Hiding in Another Dimension? A Conversation with Maxim Furek

Most people think of Bigfoot as a fuzzy, ape-like creature stomping around the Pacific Northwest. But what if the truth is far weirder? That's the question we explored with author Maxim Furek, who joined us to discuss his book, Lost Tribes of Bigfoot. Our conversation took us on a wild ride, from infamous hoaxes to psychic miners and everything in between.

Beyond the Hoaxes

Maxim is passionate about separating fact from fiction. He started our chat by calling out some of the most famous hoaxes in paranormal history, like the Piltdown Man and the Minnesota Iceman. He explained that these elaborate fakes did serious damage to the credibility of serious paranormal research, making it harder for people to believe genuine sightings.

This is where Furek's book comes in—it's an attempt to clear the air and focus on the truly compelling evidence, no matter how strange it seems.

Bigfoot and the Interdimensional Theory

So, if Bigfoot isn't just an ape, what could it be?

Maxim is a big believer in the interdimensional theory. This idea suggests that Bigfoot might not be a physical creature at all, but a being that can move between different dimensions. This would explain why it's so good at disappearing, and why we've never found a body. This theory gets even more interesting when you consider the number of times Bigfoot sightings have been reported alongside UFOs and strange orbs of light. The Chestnut Ridge area in Western Pennsylvania, for example, is a hotspot for all three!

The Evidence That Makes You Wonder

Maxim highlighted some of the most intriguing pieces of evidence out there. Of course, we talked about the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, the 1967 footage that many still believe is the best proof we have. But the most chilling story he shared was the Albert Ostman abduction. In 1924, this trapper claimed he was kidnapped by a family of Sasquatch and held for a week. What makes his story so credible, Furek says, is that he didn't make up any of the over-the-top details we often see in modern stories.

A Few Detours into the Weird

Our conversation wasn't all about Bigfoot, though. We took a couple of fascinating detours into other paranormal topics. Maxim brought up the Sheppton mining incident from 1963, where two trapped miners claimed they had visions of humanoid figures and the recently deceased Pope John XXIII. We also touched on the history of the Annabelle doll and how that one item has spawned a massive horror franchise.

The True Message of Bigfoot

For Maxim, the Bigfoot legend has a much deeper meaning. He believes the creature is a protector of the environment. He says that Native American coastal tribes have known this for centuries. Ultimately, he hopes that the fascination with Sasquatch will inspire people to become better stewards of the environment. So, the next time you hear a story about a wildman in the woods, maybe it's not just a creature—maybe it's a reminder to take better care of our planet.