For this Halloween episode, I chatted with Robert Valentine, storyteller and author from Northampton about his children's novel 'The Ghost of Kingshill School'. His book was inspired by an actual school said to have been haunted by one its students who met a very grisly end! We also discuss actual ghostly occurrences we ourselves have encountered, ghost hunting and the power of suggestion. This episode also includes Robert reading two parts from his book. You can get your own copy of 'T...

Leicestershire children were always told that if they weren't in bed before 9PM the Nine O' Clock Horses would get them!.... something that was even told to people my age when they were children! Some said the horses would take any wayward children away, others said that they were kidnapped and forced to work in local farms.... but what did happen? This story follows one brave young girl who wants to see the 9 O'Clock horses for herself: will she survive being taken away? Will she be ea...

It’s 1642, the Civil War has just kicked off! Queen Henrietta Maria, exhausted, weakened, dispirited and physically ill; has taken refuge, in a family residence in Nevers, Brittany. Jeffrey Hudson is now 25 years old and is not taking any more of being an object of ridicule from the remnants of the Queen's Court. As the adult Jeffrey tries to assert his worth as a man, he finds his eighteen inches of height will cause others to underestimate him…. This month’s chat includes information about ...

Ryan Gilmartin, award winning actor and writer joins Dylan in the first 'Proper Chat' episode of Tales From The Otherwood. Ryan talks about his theatrical show 'Henry VIII Used to Hate Us' a performance all about Lincolnshire history, music, food and folklore! Both Dylan and Ryan discuss the magic of storytelling and theatre, how the folklore of your hometown can explain a lot about where you came from and how is it you never really appreciate where you are from until you've left it? 'Henry V...

Dylan takes a slightly different approach with this month's story. Firstly, he recorded this unscripted and secondly, rather than a chat regarding the folklore around the Wise Men of Gotham, he incorporates the folklore into the story. In the time of King John, two envoymen ride ahead to explore the Nottinghamshire village of Gotham (It's said "Go-tum" around here!) to make sure it is safe for HRH to travel through safely.... what they weren't prepared for were people trying to capture ...

Due to technical issues, this episode is out late- better late than never! In this month’s episode Dylan reads the two poems inspired by the events of the Gamesters. That’s right, this is a sequel episode! Thomas Hardwicke Rawnsley’s ‘The Three Revellers; or Impiety Punished- A Legend of Holbech- A True Story’ (Written around 1800): https://tellinghistory.co.uk/content/three-revellers-or-impiety-punished-legend-holbech-true-story-thomas-hardwicke-rawnsley-1789 Eliza Cook’s ‘The Sacril...

It’s an old classic- three men walk into a bar and decide to give their dead friend’s corpse one last card game- oh, wait! You mean you HAVEN’T heard that one? This Lincolnshire story was based on something that really happened! Despite being kept from the 18th Century press, it seems local gossip about the event not only inspired different versions but even two poems by classical writers in the 19th Century! This month's chat discusses the multiple variations of this tale as well as th...

We're back in Nottingham! And a poor little girl is taken in by a witch.... what could possibly go wrong? This month's chat discusses East Midland folklore on cress, gooseberry bushes and apple trees; what has the apple got to do with with both Halloween AND Christmas in Nottinghamshire? You'll have to listen and find out! Also, I shall be looking into the hypothesis of whether or not witches, fairies and ghosts are in fact the same thing..... As promised in the epi...

Love conquers all..... or does it? How can a simple and honest thing such as love destroy a whole town in Wales? A whole episode as requested by regular listener, Nik. This month's tale involves love, murder and, of course, a curse. This month's chat discusses the folklore associated with Kenfig and Kenfig Pool. If you'd like to learn more about the rich history of Kenfig, you can do so here: https://kenfigorg.wordpress.com/ And if you would like to know more about ...

In this tale from the Ojibwe First Nation we encounter something that strikes fear even into the bravest of hearts. When a warrior and his family are trying to survive a harsh winter, the warrior goes in search of food but encounters instead his worst fear: The Wendigo! Which will kill him first: The oncoming snow storm or the man-eating spirit before him? This story was selected by my good friend, fellow blogger and horror author Aspasia S. Bissas. You can order her books onlin...

In this Derbyshire set tale, a minister from Ashbourne makes his journey to carry on the Lord's Work despite the setbacks that have already presented themselves. Seeking shelter in a dilapidated house, the minister finds not all the residents are of this world.... This month's chat discusses not only fairy lore in Derbyshire, but as the story takes place on the last day of October, we also discuss Derbyshire customs on and around Halloween! Yes, it is a bit strange discussing Hallowe...

This Northamptonshire tale is in regards of a very curious building called the Triangular Lodge. On the grounds of Rushton Hall, it is in fact, younger than the hall itself. However, this also means that because of its unusual shape, it has inspired many tales all of its own! Towards the end of the 18th Century, the 6th Viscount Cullen is showing off his inherited home to a friend of his.... until the friend finds an entryway into a mysterious tunnel in the cellar of the lodge! ...

I've always wanted to cover a vampire story..... and here it is! Set in Hungary, 1725, the villagers of Medveða are being haunted by one of their own who died a sudden death! Keeping one of the undead down is hard enough, what happens when others start being attacked? The Chat section discusses the two government investigations that brought the "Vampire" to European infamy, it also challenges what we think we know about these blood sucking creatures and where our beliefs came from.&nb...

Now 10 years old, young Jeffery is sent as part of an envoy for Queen Henrietta Maria to her home country of France. Jeffrey will learn what it is to be loved and adored and yet..... events beyond his control will teach him a stark reminder of what the outside world away from the royal courts is truly like. If this is the first time you have found this podcast (Greetings and welcome!), scroll until you see 'Jeffrey Hudson: The Boy in the Pie' before listening to this one. CONTENT WAR...

In the depths of Lincolnshire, time was that the coming of Spring was hurried with certain rituals to the spirits of the land. People looked for the Green Mist, for only on its arrival was Winter truly over. The Green Mist is a tale that warns about things unseen that are always listening.... The Chat section discusses Boggarts, bogles and ancient field rites from Anglo-Saxon times. There is also an update on the previous tale The Boggart and the Farmer. Send ...

Yuletide greetings and cheer! Back home in Nottinghamshire, this month's tale sees King Henry II getting himself lost whilst hunting in Sherwood Forest.... until he meets a very strange individual indeed. December's chat includes a talk about wassailing. So grab yourself a mulled wine, put your feet up and enjoy this winter tale of hospitality, generosity and friendship. Wassail! Send us a text You can contact Dylan by email on: talesfromtheotherwood@gmail.com And I...

In her home village of Birstall, Leicestershire, Katie learns to her horror that the stories surrounding the haunting of Black Lane by a black ghostly hound might not just simply be a ghost story..... The Chat section of this month's episode examines the differences between a Black Dog and a Barguest in folklore as well as what the two share in their characteristics. Send us a text You can contact Dylan by email on: talesfromtheotherwood@gmail.com And Instagram: @tales_from_th...

The people of Wantley in South Yorkshire have a problem. A BIG problem! There's a dragon eating everything and everyone and the local knight to protect them is a foul mouthed drunk. This is a reading of the bawdy tale as recorded by Bishop Percy's 1767 book Reliques of Ancient English Poetry and contains the rude language from the time. Sensitive listeners or those with children might want to skip the reading of the Ballad and go straight to the chat (Skip to 12:25)....

WARNING! This episode contains Dylan singing and therefore contains a Government health warning...... You have been warned, therefore all side effects are your own responsibility. The Derby Ram is a favourite English folk song, but what has it got to do with people dressing up as animals, Christmas, and links to a Scandinavian creation myth? The Chat discusses the song and 'The Old Tup' as well as the Viking Eddas. For further details of Dylan storytelling live at the Tiny Event Tent...

In this Northamptonshire tale, a poor farmer starts working on his small plot of land only to find it is haunted by a menacing and ugly boggart.... will the farmer be driven away? Or does he have what it takes to deal with the supernatural forces that have presented themselves? This episode's chat talks about the difference between brownies, bogles and boggarts as well as some ancient harvest rituals. Also, one of my cats makes a guest appearance, so be sure to listen out! Send us a text Yo...