The stories behind the stories
EPISODE #3
Why are there so many Forest of Dean stories of ghosts, hauntings and spooky places?
There’s a small but enthusiastic community of paranormal investigators and ghost hunters in the Forest, and in recent years plenty of books published detailing mysterious apparitions, unexplained cold spots, bumps in the night…Many of these present-day hauntings can be linked back to historical events - the final curse of a dying man, a wrongly accused woman, a fatal dispute. The stories are often associated with old houses, but many are linked to places - spots in the landscape where you don’t want to linger as the sun starts to go down. Is there something special about the Forest landscape that lends itself to these ghostly manifestations? In this episode we look at how Forest of Dean authors have used ghost stories to not only send a chill down their readers’ spine, but also to explore contemporary issues and, unresolved history. Join us as we look back to the hey-day of the ghost story, gain insights from present-day authors Tiffany Murray and Andrew Taylor, and, investigate the story behind the story of one of the most iconic Forest of Dean ghosts stories – the ghost of the slave boy of Littledean Hall.
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring Interviews with Dr Tiffany Murray, Andrew Taylor, and Harry Cole, and extracts of a reading by Keith Morgan. Also featuring the voices of Anna Grimmett, Oscar Grimmett, Darren Hoskins and Rachel Griffiths.
There’s a small but enthusiastic community of paranormal investigators and ghost hunters in the Forest, and in recent years plenty of books published detailing mysterious apparitions, unexplained cold spots, bumps in the night…Many of these present-day hauntings can be linked back to historical events - the final curse of a dying man, a wrongly accused woman, a fatal dispute. The stories are often associated with old houses, but many are linked to places - spots in the landscape where you don’t want to linger as the sun starts to go down. Is there something special about the Forest landscape that lends itself to these ghostly manifestations? In this episode we look at how Forest of Dean authors have used ghost stories to not only send a chill down their readers’ spine, but also to explore contemporary issues and, unresolved history. Join us as we look back to the hey-day of the ghost story, gain insights from present-day authors Tiffany Murray and Andrew Taylor, and, investigate the story behind the story of one of the most iconic Forest of Dean ghosts stories – the ghost of the slave boy of Littledean Hall.
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring Interviews with Dr Tiffany Murray, Andrew Taylor, and Harry Cole, and extracts of a reading by Keith Morgan. Also featuring the voices of Anna Grimmett, Oscar Grimmett, Darren Hoskins and Rachel Griffiths.
EPISODE #2
How is the famous Forest story of the 'killing of the bears' connected to a French general, and what has it got to do with someone called Six Fingered Jack?
In the Forest of Dean one day in 1889 something happened that people in the Forest - and in particular those in the village of Ruardean - have never been allowed to forget. The story of that day - and its legacy - has made its way into poems, drama, novels, local guides, and, radio and television programmes. Why is it that still today, 130 years later, we are still talking about 'the killing of the bears'? Join us as we explore the literary legacy of that event, and the legendarily provocative question 'who killed the bears?' Discover the poets and authors who have helped keep the story alive and, find out the real reason why the events of that day became a story of international significance.
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring interviews with local historian Andrew Gardner; Dean Heritage Centre head of collections Nicola Wynn. and former local resident Glenda Griffiths. With readings from the late Ken Sollars, Neil Jones, and Sally Latham. Also featuring the voices of Barney Rowe, Sarah McMullen Morris, Jeremy Gazard, and Rachel Griffiths.
In the Forest of Dean one day in 1889 something happened that people in the Forest - and in particular those in the village of Ruardean - have never been allowed to forget. The story of that day - and its legacy - has made its way into poems, drama, novels, local guides, and, radio and television programmes. Why is it that still today, 130 years later, we are still talking about 'the killing of the bears'? Join us as we explore the literary legacy of that event, and the legendarily provocative question 'who killed the bears?' Discover the poets and authors who have helped keep the story alive and, find out the real reason why the events of that day became a story of international significance.
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring interviews with local historian Andrew Gardner; Dean Heritage Centre head of collections Nicola Wynn. and former local resident Glenda Griffiths. With readings from the late Ken Sollars, Neil Jones, and Sally Latham. Also featuring the voices of Barney Rowe, Sarah McMullen Morris, Jeremy Gazard, and Rachel Griffiths.
EPISODE #1
What's the connection between Edwardian author Tom Bevan, a Spanish plot to burn down the Forest of Dean, magus Dr John Dee and, 'fake news'?
Join us as we explore the 1907 novel Sea Dogs All! We find out about its author Tom Bevan and his connections to the region, and about the audience he was writing for. How much of his story was pure fiction, and how much historical fact? What was the Forest like at the time of the Spanish Armada, and why would anyone want to destroy the woods of the Forest? And, what on earth is the meaning of our title for episode 1 , 007's Angel and the Plot to Burn the Forest?
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring interviews with specialist in children's literature Dr Debby Thacker and, historian and HM Verderer Dr Ian Standing. Also featuring the voices of 'El Draco', Martha Beard, Barney Rowe, and Rachel Griffiths.
Join us as we explore the 1907 novel Sea Dogs All! We find out about its author Tom Bevan and his connections to the region, and about the audience he was writing for. How much of his story was pure fiction, and how much historical fact? What was the Forest like at the time of the Spanish Armada, and why would anyone want to destroy the woods of the Forest? And, what on earth is the meaning of our title for episode 1 , 007's Angel and the Plot to Burn the Forest?
Presented by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks. Featuring interviews with specialist in children's literature Dr Debby Thacker and, historian and HM Verderer Dr Ian Standing. Also featuring the voices of 'El Draco', Martha Beard, Barney Rowe, and Rachel Griffiths.
