The Selcouth Witch Podcast

In the small fishing town of Pittenweem, Fife, a teenage boy's accusations would help ignite one of Scotland's most disturbing late witch panics,   What began with claims of torment and witchcraft soon spiralled into suspicion, imprisonment, public cruelty and death. Among the accused was Janet Cornfoot, a woman whose name would become tied to one of the most brutal mob killings in Scottish witch...

In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we wander into the folklore of the dandelion - a familiar little flower often dismissed as a weed, but rich with old meanings.   From childhood wishes and fairy clocks to weather lore, love divination, folk medicine and wonderfully blunt warning of "piss-a-bed", the dandelion has carried far more than seeds on the wind.   Join Holly, The Selcouth Witc...

Step into the quieter, older side of Easter... In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the rituals, folklore and traditions that sit beneath the surface of a celebration many of us in Britain have grown up with. From sunrise gatherings and sun dancing, to church customs, superstitions and curious beliefs once taken very seriously... Easter reveals itself as more than chocolate eg...

In 1849, a quiet street in Liverpool became a scene of a brutal and deeply unsettling crime. The Leveson Street Murders shocked the local community, drawing attention to a case marked by suspicion, witness testimony and a swift arrest that would grip the city. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we examine the events surrounding the murders, the investigation that followed and the arres...

Deep within the walls of Newgate Prison, one of England's most feared and infamous prisons, prisoners spoke of a terrifying presence that roamed the dark corridors at night. A great black dog, with glowing eyes and a silent tread, said to appear when death was near. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the chilling legend of The Black Dog of Newgate - a tale rooted in prison f...

In the shadows of 18th-century Britain, there existed an object so feared it was said to freeze the living where they stood. A severed hand, taken from the gallows. Dried, preserved and lit like a candle. A thief's talisman... Known as The Hand of Glory. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the true historical origins of The Hand of Glory - its use in folklore, its connection...

In August 1867, in the quiet market town of Alton, Hampshire, an eight-year old set out to play in the meadow with her sister and a friend. By nightfall only two would return. The murder that followed would horrify Victorian England and give rise to a phrase still spoken today - " Sweet F.A." In this episode, The Selcouth Witch uncovers the true story behind those words. Listener discretion is adv...

Step into the misty lanes of 19th-century Hadleigh, Essex, where fear and superstition ruled the night. Discover the chilling tale of Cunning Murrell- a man known as healer, sorcerer and dealer in the dark bargains. Was he a protector of his village or the very source of their terror? Listen now as we uncover his legacy of mystery, magic and fear.   #Folklore#BritishHistory#CunningMurrell#TheSelco...

Beneath the quiet green space that was once St Paul's in Portwood lies a history few truly know. In this episode The Selcouth Witch Podcast, Holly explores the forgotten life and community shaped by change, tragedy and remembrance. Join me in this mini episode as I uncover a story rooted in my home town Stockport's past - one that lingers long after the church walls have gone.