The Witches of Bedfordshire Part Two
Exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from 1800 until today.
In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch.
The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the satanic panic.
Nat ponders whether we have moved far enough away from the causes and motivations of the 17th century witch trials. But ends the episode with a delightful piece of witch related folklore.
Amy Boucher of the Shropshire Witches podcast joins Nat to discuss why the history of the witch trials endures as one of histories most popular subjects.
Stick around until the end to hear a sneak preview of Weird in the Wade's Special 2nd anniversary episode: The Return to the Haunted Poundstretcher!
This episode contains some descriptions of cruelty to animals but Nat gives you a heads up before those sections.
You can read more about the witches of Bedfordshire on the blog at weirdinthewade.blog
Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig
Theme music and the track Waking Up are by Tess Savigear
