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This Valentine's Day, we say beware the elf knight! Rather than lean in to the romance, we're taking a look at how seemingly romantic encounters can end up being cautionary tales. Join us for two stories about dastardly rakes, fearless young women and murderous love. No parrots allowed. If you like the show, then follow us on Instagram @wyrd.folkpod Or find us on our website www.wyrdfolkpod.com Or join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/WyrdFolkPod Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we travel to Kent, where Kits Coty House sits on Bluebell Hill in the beautiful Medway Valley. This ancient megalith is all that remains of a Neolithic tomb, which has a long and storied history. Some say that the house was built by witches, others say it was built by giants. Is it a respite for shepherds or a portal to the fairy world? Perhaps it is the tomb of the infamous Jutish warrior Horsa. Listen in this week for two stories which explore the many tales surrounding this iconic ancient site. Follow the show on Instagram @wyrd.folkpod Find us on TikTok @wyrdfolkpod Visit us at www.wyrdfolkpod.com Support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/WyrdFolkPod Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To kick off our new season, we've gone for a classic English tale of giants, plucky heroes and clever escapes. Jack is an everyman who travels the country slaying giants with his wits and saving cursed princesses with his magic treasures. Join us for two tales of unlikely heroes, tricky giants and adventure. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @wyrd.folkpod Or support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WyrdFolkPod And check out our website for show updates www.wyrdfolkpod.com Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Holly and the Ivy is the beautiful traditional carol which themes our 2025 Christmas special. Full of mid-winter imagery, the carol showcases the symbolism of English country Christmas customs and Christian imagery. Join us for two stories of midwinter greenery, the joy of music for the festive season and links to mid-winter festivals such as Yule and local folklore. Check us out on Instagram @wyrd.folkpod for up-to-date show news. Also, make sure to check out our website www.wyrdfolkpod.com to see more details from the show. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hedley Kow is a devilish sprite, keen to play tricks on the unwary and the trusting. A shapeshifter, the kow can often be found duping the unsuspecting with the illusion of gold, until it meets its match in a woman so happy with her lot in life that she doesn't mind her changing fortune. This charming fairytale from Northumberland is the perfect pantomime tonic for the festive season. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Orkney Islands, they tell the story of the changing seasons through the eternal battle between the goddess Mither and her counterpart- the terrible storm god Teran. When the weather turns and the storms roll in, they battle in the deeps, bringing thunderous weather and much needed change. Join us for two tales of the force of the sea and the eternal pull of the tides. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the lonely lanes of early Victorian London, a fiend lurks in the shadows to frighten young maidens. This hellish figure is reported to have metallic claws, horns, breathe fire and can leap ten-foot walls in a single bound. But who is he? Is he a fiend from the pit of hell, or is he just a bored nobleman with a grudge? Remember to vote for your favourite story on our episode blog once you've listened to the show. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our one-year anniversary episode, we are delving into the ghostly happenings at a luxury country hotel in the Cotswolds. The beautiful Lygon Arms, with its oak-panelled dining room and cosy fires, is just the place to enjoy a winter ghost story. Restored by Sydney B Russell, the father of the great furniture designer Gordon Russell, the hotel is both modern and ancient; here, the staff whisper tales of ghostly knocking in the King Charles Room, a spectral child haunts the halls, and even the guests must beware of the touch of a cold hand in the darkness. This Halloween, join us for two tales of the ancient, haunted inn. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This spooky short was originally written for Season 2 Episode 2: The Cauld Lad of Hylton. Now a ruin, Hylton Castle is known in local legend for the brutal murder of a poor stable lad, whose restless ghost still wandered the halls of the castle after he was slaughtered by the lord of the manor. The Cauld Lad can find no peace or rest until someone warms his bones for him. Listen to the full episode for Sam's take on the story and the background to the legend. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Orkney Islands, they tell of a sea serpent so enormous that it could devour whole villages in a single bite and kill entire communities with one puff of its poison breath. Mester Stoor Worm is not just a monster; he is a god: Jörmungandr world snake. A beast so enormous that his broken teeth form the Faroe Islands. Who can defeat such a gargantuan beast but the seventh son of a seventh son? Listen in this week for two stories of gods, monsters, heroes and princesses. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's spooky short for Halloween is taken from our series two episode on The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor. A stretch of the B3212 road outside Postbridge on Dartmoor has a gruesome reputation, for it is where the hairy hands lurk, ready to attack unwary travellers. In the episode, both Sam and I imagined what it would be like to have an encounter with these ghoulish, murderous, hairy hands. A Hand in the Darkness is a truly terrifying tale, perfect for Halloween. If you like the story, then make sure you listen back to the full episode to listen to Nikki's tale as well. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gather round the fireside for a story of terror from Leap Castle. The Unwilling Guest first appeared in the second episode of season 1 of the podcast. This tale is Nikki's take on the seances held at Leap by the lady of the castle, Mildred Darby, who first recorded encounters with what she called 'the elemental' in the gallery at Leap Castle. This episode is the first of our short story re-releases for Halloween. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does a vampire walk in Highgate? This week, we take a look at the vampire story, which became the urban folk horror sensation of the early 70s. The setting: the crumbling Victorian splendour of Highgate Cemetery in London, where a seven-foot-tall ghoul with a burning gaze is said to stalk lonely passers-by. But what is this creature? Is it a vampire woken by the black magic rituals performed at night in the cemetery grounds, or is it a spirit trapped forever in the bounds of the graveyard? Listen in this week for our spooky stories of the Highgate Vampire. Go to https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1/the-highgate-vampire to vote for your favourite story once you've finished listening. Love the show? We'd be grateful if you could leave a review. Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we have the absolute privilege of sitting down for a chat with writer Amy Jeffs, illustrator Gwen Burns and musician Natalie Brice to talk about their absolutely stunning new book, 'Old Songs'. This collection of stories, songs and imagery from ten British ballads is a truly multi-media experience. From the romantic ballad of Tam Lin to the domestic scenes of Willie's Lady, the book brings these old ballads to life for modern audiences through Amy's wondrous prose, Gwen's moving illustrations and Natalie's haunting arrangements of the traditional songs, which you can hear on the audiobook. We are lucky enough to have a sneak peek at some of the stories and the music as part of the episode. If you want to see Amy, Gwen and Natalie on tour, then head to Amy's website for more details. Pre-order the book here, using the independent bookshop finder. https://geni.us/OldSongs?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafiTKM1pkaUj311yZAxYXQNECbBO2OJNu5Om3FBek8xIV3Gj3jLEpMOW-WIYQ_aem_jdd2wvVhF7RF8pHci_Itog Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The infamous haunting at Borley Rectory in Essex has fascinated ghost hunters and horror aficionados alike for over a century. But Borley isn't just a ghost story. It is the tale of betrayal, family and deception which turned a seemingly ordinary rectory building deep in the countryside into the site of intense psychic study. What is the truth of Borley? This week, Sam and I take a look at two different eras in the Borley timeline and ask ourselves how the simple stories told by the Bull children to pass the long Winter nights ended in a raging fire which destroyed their father's house. After you've listened to the episode, make sure to vote for your favourite story on the episode poll by following this link: https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1/41-borley-rectory Make sure to follow us on Instagram for show updates on @wyrd.folkpod or help support the show via Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/wyrdsistersproductions Wyrd Folk is a duelling folk storytelling podcast. Every episode will contain two stories for your listening pleasure, and you are the final judge of which one of us told the best version of the tale. Once you've listened, tell us which one you liked best by heading over to the episode blog on our website to vote on the episode poll for that story. https://www.wyrdfolkpod.com/episodes-1 Remember to keep writing wyrd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.