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Transcript
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SPEAKER 2
Hello and welcome back to Weird Wessex. My name is Craig. I'm actually flying solo today as Andy could make it for this one, but fear not because I've got something really cool to talk about. I've been meaning to cover it for ages. It's an event called the Philly Lou, which I actually attended yesterday with my family.
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I'll explain a bit more what that is in a little bit and I'll include some scenes from the evening too. I've just realized that I've doubled down on the canoe. So I've got the one on the wall here. I've got another one on my T-shirt, but never mind. I'm going to have to go with it anyway. OK,
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first, let's set the stage, not just with a place, but with a time of year, midsummer or the summer solstice. Today, June 21st, actually puts us right at the cusp of it. It's the longest day of the year when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky

Solstice Shenanigans

Episode 61

Join Craig on Wyrd Wessex for this special Solstice bonus episode as he delves into the ancient mysteries of Midsummer and an enigmatic event he recently attended: the Filly Loo in Ashmore, Dorset.

Discover why the Summer Solstice has been a powerful, mystical time for millennia, and explore Ashmore's deep, peculiar history. Uncover local legends like the bizarre Ashmore Gabbergammies from a vanished barrow, and the haunting tale of a Lady in White said to roam the village pond.

What is the Filly Loo, and where does its strange name come from? Craig explores the captivating theories behind this traditional gathering. Experience the vibrant spirit of English folk dance, from the lively Morris groups to the profound, ancient ritual of the Horn Dance with its impressive reindeer antlers. Why do these age-old customs persist in our modern world, their purpose often lost to time?

This episode offers a fascinating look into the enduring power of tradition, local folklore, and the subtle, ancient impulses that still shape communities today.

Stay Wyrd!

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Written, hosted and edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

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0:50
first, let's set the stage, not just with a place, but with a time of year, midsummer or the summer solstice. Today, June 21st, actually puts us right at the cusp of it. It's the longest day of the year when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky