September 24, 2020
Dare you cross the Devil's Bridge?
In this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast, join Mark Rees (author of "Ghosts of Wales"/ Paranormal Wales" etc.) for a journey in search of Satan himself who, it is claimed, built a bridge over a great chasm in west Wales in exchange for the soul of an old Welsh widow.
This story is one of Wales' most popular folk tales, and while it might seem a little bit too far-fetched to be true, there's no denying the fact that the Devil's Bridge really does exits in the village of Pontarfynach. In fact, it's not just one bridge but three.
By digging deeper into the origins of this much-loved tale we can attempt to separate the fact from the fiction, and uncover the real secret history behind this most diabolical of spans.
Did the Devil really build a bridge in haunted Wales? Press play to find out more!
September 17, 2020
In this real-life ghost story, a terrified Welsh farmer is forced to flee from a spectral locomotive as it hurtles around the idyllic landscape. But this was no ordinary ghost train - according to the witness, it was a ghost train from the future.
Join MARK REES (author of "Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales") as he delves into the archives in search of evidence surrounding this extremely rare type of haunting, and asks if a ghostly form really can travel "back to the future".
He also takes a quick look at the at more physical ghost trains to be found in the fun fairs of haunted Wales, or rather the lack of them as the case may be.
Did the farmer really see such paranormal activity in Victorian Carmarthenshire, or was it clairvoyance or second sight at work? Press play to find out more in this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast!
September 10, 2020
Did a Welsh witch really invent beer in her magical cauldron? And what macabre part did it play in the funeral traditions of old?
Join MARK REES (author of "Ghosts of Wales"/ "Paranormal Wales" etc.) as he goes in search of the often dark and Gothic myths, legends and folklore surrounding the history of beer in this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast.
Considered to be the "national drink of Wales", this frothy beverage has connections with the fantastical tale of Ceridwen and Taliesin, played an important role in funeral processions, and by using the correct bits of folk knowledge hangovers could be avoided.
Oh, and did you know that women used to hold secret cheese and beer parties when the men weren't looking? Press play to find out more...
Cheers/ iechyd da!
September 3, 2020
The world is full of magical tales about fairies, but have you ever wondered where they come from?
According to Welsh folklore, the little folk originated in either north Wales or south Wales, and the answer to that question - along with many others - is revealed in this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast with Mark Rees (author of "Ghosts of Wales"/ "Paranormal Wales" etc.).
In the company of a pioneering Victorian writer who travelled from America to Wales and recorded many a fairy tale, join them for a whirlwind tour which looks at old beliefs in the mischievous creatures, and some real-life hiding places where they are said to have dwelt.
This episode is the perfect starting point for anyone with an interest in folklore and fairy tales, and lays the groundwork for many of the fantastical - and occasionally dark - tales to follow.
Do you believe in fairies? Listen to this podcast before making your mind up!
August 27, 2020
Can a murderer return from beyond the grave to haunt their former neighbours?
In this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast, join your host MARK REES (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he goes in search of the facts surrounding the "Wraith of a Murderer", a ghost which was said to be haunting his old home in the late Victorian age.
In a tale which combines a real-life long-lost crime with an eerie "most haunted" supernatural story, the events unfolded in 19th century Swansea where witnesses reported seeing the phantom's face, feeling his clammy hands, and in at least one case falling sick with fear as a result.
Was this paranormal activity the work of "The Wraith of a Murderer Stalks Abroad", or was something even more mysterious taking place in the Welsh city?
![EP12 The Headless Jesus and other real-life ghost stories from Wales: A special bonus episode of Ghosts & Folklore with Mark Rees for Haunted Happening]()
August 22, 2020
Ever hear about the ghost of a headless Jesus who was seen by a man of the cloth charging along a dark Welsh road at night at the helm of a carriage pulled by spectral horses? No? What about the pesky poltergeists which were scaring a married couple in their new home nearby, and even "some holy ladies"?
In this special bonus episode of Ghosts & Folklore of Wales, join MARK REES (author of Ghosts of Wales/ The A-Z of Curious Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he looks back at three curious real-life ghost stories recorded in the Victorian age by a man from Flintshire.
Bemoaning the lack of contemporary spooky tales, he submitted three of his own to the local press in order to reignite a little interest in the paranormal. Not only is it a fascinating glimpse into the supernatural beliefs of the people at the time, but it has parallels with our modern-day approach to spooks and spectres.
With many people nowadays looking to re-enchant a word which has seemingly lost that spark of magic, could we all learn something from the man who shared ghost stories with his community?
This episode was recorded especially for the Haunted Happening #hauntedhappening event on Twitter and Facebook, and is in addition to the normal weekly episode - two episodes in one week, which means double the ghostly and folkloric fun - cheers / iechyd da!
August 20, 2020
Storytellers have the magical ability to whisk us away to distant times and places, and that's exactly what special guest Owen Staton does in this episode of the GHOSTS & FOLKLORE podcast.
In conversation with MARK REES (author Ghosts of Wales/ Curious Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.), they talk about ghost stories and eerie Welsh folk tales from the past and present. Some of these stories have been dusted off and handed down through the centuries, while others are far more recent and, in some cases, real.
From supernatural happenings in the home to the tragic love story of Rhys and Meinir in Nant Gwrtheyrn, pull up a chair by the fireplace and join the pair as they discuss paranormal activity, modern-day ghost hunting, uncanny encounters and the continued fascination with telling tales and in haunted Wales.
August 13, 2020
TV show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" will be filmed in a haunted Welsh castle in 2020. But what ghosts can Ant and Dec and the rest of the team expect to find lurking inside? Join MARK REES (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he investigates paranormal activity at Gwrych Castle, a wonderful - if occasionally creepy - castle where a woman in white watches from the windows, and a woman in red walk the grounds. Supernatural things have been experienced by a diverse cast of witnesses, from a title-winning boxer to the castle's duty manager, and include an undead butler and even a phantom horse.
For more weird and wonderful stories from this 'most haunted' land hit the subscribe button. For regular updates about the paranormal, supernatural, folklore, myths and legends, follow Mark Rees on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviewwales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reviewwales/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviewwales
August 6, 2020
Did you know that fairies used to ride corgis into battle? And that the name corgi is derived from Welsh folklore? Join MARK REES (Ghosts of Wales) for an uplifting journey in search of positive dog lore from across 'haunted Wales', with tales of the fairy folk rewarding those who show kindness to their pets, a wizard's friendly familiar which helped lonely travellers at night, and ghostly four-legged omens which can predict if a dying person is heading to the good place or the bad.
July 30, 2020
Does the ghost of Dylan Thomas visit his old haunts? Has he gone gently in that good night, or does his spirit rage, rage, against the dying of the light? Join MARK REES (Ghosts of Wales) as he investigates reports that the great Welsh poet is still active today, and that during his lifetime he was a believer in an afterlife and claimed to have seen a ghost himself. This is an epic journey which starts in Laugharne, takes in Swansea and Carmarthen, the English capital London, and even New York.
