Loremen Podcast

We've all heard of Wookey Hole, haven't we? HAVEN'T WE? Oh, we haven't? Huh. Then let Deputy Loreperson Rosie Holt introduce you to Somerset's 2nd best subterranean tourist attraction. James chips in with a bunch of West Country witch tales that all have something familiar about them. (That's a pun.) Plus a timeless lesson on the dangers of pig sarcasm, and a hot tip for getting rid of unwanted toads.    Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @RosieisaHolt

Yuriko Kontani joins the Loreboys to talk about the Kappa - a quirky Japanese river-monster with some nasty appetites. Webbed hands and a bowl on its head are the least of your worries.In spite of our best efforts, this episode contains much talk of bottoms, bumholes and farts. So if you're listening with kids, be warned that they're going to love it. Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @YurikoComedy

Edinburgh's roll-call of villains is long, crooked and rotten. Like the worst banana. And Major Weir is one of the nastiest. Thomas Weir aka "Angelic Thomas" did not live up to that nickname, as you will soon discover. Eleanor Morton, Edinburgh native, comedian and mystery enthusiast, joined the Loremen livestream to get to the bottom of this devil of a fellow. Stay tuned after the credits to hear a horror story from James's real life. It is in the top three most disgusting stories he's told on the pod. Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @EleanorMorton

The Garrick's Head pub is home to many Bath-based legends, so we called up our Bath area Deputy Loreperson - Sunil Patel (BBC Asian Network). The Loreboys cover a fair amount of genuine history in this one, from pneumatic wigs to the MC of Bath's extravagant balls. And before you ask - YES! We do describe several 1970s photos of 1970s men pointing towards places ghosts were once seen. Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @SunilDPatel

Faringdon in Oxfordshire is a peculiar town. The folly comes with a health warning and the doves are painted neon colours. The most unsurprising thing about the place is that the graveyard has a ghost: the headless spectre of poor Hampden Pye. James spills the beans on how Hampden lost his head, when all about were keeping theirs. Also, it was very, very hot when we recorded and we are very, very English. So we moan about it. A lot. (Contains mild references to violence and suicide.) Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

This tale has it all; Romans, bikers, buried treasure, UFOs, the devil, a woman, trees. You name it! If anything, Chanctonbury Ring in the South Downs has too much folklore. This ep also features two of Alasdair's 'best' voices and will leave you questioning whether James understands how hills work... Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

It's only the most haunted house in the bloomin' Midlands!  James tells us about Stratford-upon-Avon's star-crossed Clopton Family, who met some truly tragic fates - in one case a LITERALLY sticky end. But their untimely deaths may have inspired Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe. So that's... good? Maybe? We also reveal which historic building Alasdair has been kicked out of and (as a post-credits bonus) James has prepared some Shakespeare puns. Niche? Us? Yes, very! Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

Ah, the fae folk, they seem so carefree and jolly. But theirs is a society full of arbitrary rules and harsh punishments even for the most unintentional infractions. Also they're very small and get upset when you look directly at them. Sounds like working with Tom Cruise. In this episode, Alasdair takes us into the realm of the faeries (Northumberland) as your bold Loremen face a second wave of Lockdown Fever... May Pob have mercy on our souls. Loreboys nether say die! ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

The award winning Ross Brierley (of The Not So Late Show) takes the Loremen on a (virtual) tour of the village of Eyam. Fans of nominative determinism will be both pleased and annoyed by this tale, like someone whose name was Jolly Upset. This Derbyshire tragedy features ghosts, noble sacrifices and 1 (one) magical pudding-boy. No explanation needed or given. (To the listeners writing in about our lax scoring: you win all right... or do you?) If you'd care to spare a sou or two...  ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

The 50th episode sees the Lorefolks tackle the Rollright Stones in a special livestream edition! The past and the future collide, as predicted by the film Stargate and to a lesser extent the TV series of the same name. Discover standing stones, a witch's curse and the dreaded Dix Pit. You can also watch the full livestream here: www.loremenpodcast.com/episode-29-s3   Thanks to all our loyal listeners, here's to 50 more! (50 more episodes, not 50 more listeners. We'd settle for 25.) Bonus Content: James attempting to make a Serial-esque podcast phenomenon out of the Snuffling Beast of Lidstone. It lasts ten minutes, but bless 'im, he tried. Mooie Warning: They're back.  ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

Alasdair invites you into his 'psychomanteum' to hear a triptych of ghostly tales. You want a ghost to get bullied by schoolboys? You got it!  You want a ghost who steals hats? No problem!You want a ghost on skates chatting to a hip vicar? Weirdly specific. But yes, we have that too. Do we need to mention we've come up with a new detective series concept? Because we blooming well have. ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.twitch.tv/loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

Ah, Chipping Norton! A town that sounds like a minced oath from the 19th century, like "Flaming Nora!" Or "Odds Bodkins!" Also the town that produced a podcast presenter utterly determined to get to the bottom of local legends, obscure curiosities and whatnot. (It's James. We're talking about James.) Please enjoy this love letter to the market town of "Chippy" that could have been James' debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show if circumstances were different.* *Audience's expectations were much lower. Wang us some sweet, sweet dough via here if you'd be so kind... ko-fi.com/loremen @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

"Get in the sea" has been in common parlance since 2015 but it is by no means a modern concept. Towns, cities and fabled islands have been doing just that for thousands of years. Alasdair takes us on a deep dive (PUN) into Yorkshire's own submerged towns, one of which was populated exclusively by pirates. Well, they must have had non-pirates to do the normal stuff like take the bins out, but you get the idea. Pop a couple o coffers here would ya guv? Ko-fi.com/Loremen @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

Joined by Rachel Fairburn (off of the All Killa No Filla podcast), the Loremen return to the Wild West Country for a poke around a magical and mysterious area known as 'The Gump'. With hooting stones, partying pixies and wrestling demons, this tale has something for everyone. Giants? Yes, mate. Plu,s Alasdair remembers an encounter with the ghost of Yorkshire's Gary Coleman.  Wap us a few pennies here would you guv?? Ko-fi.com/Loremen @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @RachelFairburn

James Shakeshaft plays against type by offering up a story that's very nearly historically accurate. The legend of the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary or 'Barometz' seemed so plausible. It was a grazing lamb that grew on a bush; it seemed like it HAD to be real. The stories were so convincing a series of extraordinarily named men launched expeditions to find it. They didn't find it. It's not a real thing. Come one, a vegetable lamb? What next, strawberry crackling? Beef tomatoes? BLOOD ORANGES?! Chuck us a few pennies here Ko-fi.com/Loremen @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

We've decided not to put out an episode of Loremen this week. Half our listeners come from the USA, and the black lives matter protests should matter to everyone, everywhere.   Stay safe. Love people.   https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019  

Swedish comedian Evelyn Mok brings us a selection of Scandinavian stories about nymphs. This episode is like a delicious selection of small, tasty treats. If only there were an appropriate Swedish word for that...   Nope, can't think of one.   Prepare for an abundance of naked nymphs and some phallus-y fallacies, all from Sweden's SECOND best city - Gothenburg.

Jenny Collier returns! Again! This episode answers the age-old question, "how many is too many plagues?" We discover that finding the dead centre of Britain is surprisingly controversial. And we ask hard-hitting questions about 1980s TV star and evil puppet, Pob. Questions such as, "you don't remember Pob?" and, "how can you not remember Pob?!" We also dive into the Welsh myth of Lludd and Llefelys and learn that London was founded by a Welshman. Who knew?  The Welsh knew.    @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK | @JenJenCollier

The 16th century was a dangerous place, kids. Con artists, knaves and robbers roamed the land, causing mischief. If the pamphlets Alasdair has uncovered are to be believed, there was a vast underground crime network with its own secret language. It was a lot a lot like the John Wick franchise. And, like the John Wick franchise, it's a load of old nonsense. Still, bit of fun, innit?   @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK

The Loremen meet old Mister Crump in this listener-suggested tale of Gloucestershire oddities. (Thanks for sending it in, Emily!) What begins as an exploration of spectral phenomena quickly devolves into a cabin fever-dream. We discuss of bees, bones, back doors and boozy ghosts. It's another lockdown episode and things are getting weird... Enjoy! @loremenpod www.instagram.com/loremenpod www.facebook.com/loremenpod @JamesShakeshaft | @MisterABK