On a summer wander away from the wade, Nat visits a South Lincolnshire hillside which has attached to it an intriguing medieval tale of a phantom army. In a strange coincidence, Nat learns that her brother who runs there regularly has a tale to tell about that hillside as well. Sempringham was the site of an abbey and a monastic order founded by an Englishman, St Gilbert. The site holds a holy well and a link to a Welsh princess, as well as possibly Vikings. Join Nat, her brother Chris and Dr Francis Young as they uncover the secrets of Sempringham.

Nat also announces some important news about the podcast towards the end of the episode along with an update on this year's Burryman procession.

Want to catch Weird in the Wade live, at The Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade for a live podcast recording and more?

It's happening on Sunday 2nd November 2025 at 3pm

Grab your tickets here: https://wegottickets.com/event/673203/

There's still time to vote for Weird in the Wade on the listeners choice award at the British Podcast Awards! Just visit this link: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting

Weird in the Wade will be taking a short break but will return in October, in time for Halloween and will then become a fortnightly podcast! Episodes will be released every two weeks between October and July. Make sure you're subscribed on BBC Sounds so you don't miss an episode.

Today's episode features Emily Elle Watts as Edith

Thank you to: Dr Francis Young for his expertise Chris Salmon for sharing his story Ollie Campbell for letting me share his song Mon The Burryman

Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for more information about everyone above and the episode in general

Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music is by Tess Savigear

On a summer wander away from Biggleswade, Nat investigates one of the UK's strangest seasonal folk customs, the Burryman of Queensferry. For centuries a man covered from head to ankle in spiky burdock seedheads has walked along the banks of the Firth of Forth, bringing luck and banishing evil from the town. Uniquely Scottish, looking like a man covered in bees or a bear walking on his hind legs, scaring young children, but fascinating them all the same, the Burryman is a striking vision indeed.

But as Nat joined the Burryman procession in 2024 she became intrigued by the origins of this custom, and what it means now to the community of Queensferry and beyond.

With insights from the Burryman himself, his attendants and the team behind the procession and Queensferry's Ferry Fair, Nat pieces together the history of the Burryman and how he is inspiring folk from all around the world.

Special thanks to Andrew (the Burryman,) his attendants Andrew and Duncan, and team, Claire, Erin, Doc and Paul for their time and expertise in this episode.

Thank you to Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh for reading the article form the Dunfermline Press.

Thank you to the Blue Moon Pickers for their live folk music which is included in this episode.

And a huge thank you to Daniel Patrick Quinn for allowing me to use his wonderful track The Burryman (featuring Duncan Grahl,)

Find out more about the Burryman and this episode on the show blog weridinthewade.blog

Email Nat: weirdinthewade@gmail.com

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

Theme music by Tess Savigear

All additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound

The medieval chronicles are peppered with odd tales amongst the mundane, when folklorist and historian Dr Francis Young came across one of these peculiar stories he shared it with Nat, because it happened at Biggleswade. In this episode Francis and Nat ask, and hopefully answer the questions: what was this strange sight? What did it mean to the witnesses? How have our interpretations of the uncanny and otherworldly changed over the centuries? They also explore how landscape shapes and holds secrets about our past beliefs and activities.

Who were these "monstrous fighting men," and do they have a link to Viking and Saxon history? Find out in this episode of Weird in the Wade.

Read more on the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog

Find out more about Dr Francis Young at: https://drfrancisyoung.com/about/

Find out more about Weird in the Wade Ghost Walks here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/weird-in-the-wade-79765637113

Vote for Weird in the Wade in the listeners choice award for the British Podcast Awards here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting

Join Weird in the Wade's Patreon to support the show and get extra content: patreon.com/WeirdintheWade

Social Media links and more can be found here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade

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

Special thanks for the contributions of Dr Francis Young in this episode.

Theme music by Tess Savigear