S2 Ep16: Norfolk Folklore Society presents Edible Plants and their Magical Uses with Val Thomas

S2 Ep16: Norfolk Folklore Society presents Edible Plants and their Magical Uses with Val Thomas

Author: Norfolk Folklore Society January 14, 2024 Duration: 1:02:56
Our December 2023 talk was given by the wonderful Val Thomas. Val, a good friend of the Norfolk Folklore Society (she was the first ever speaker the NFS had at our monthly talks!), shared some recommendations for a magical Yule or Christmas dinner  with our guests.

About Val:
Val Thomas is a witch, a craftsperson, herbalist and a teacher. For more than a quarter of a century she has lived in Norwich, working with the magic of the land – its plants and creatures, its gods and its spirits – and exploring the ways of Norfolk’s Nameless Tradition of witchcraft and magic. During this time, Val has played a prominent role in the magical and Pagan community in Norfolk, helping to run public events, workshops and rituals and guiding many seekers upon the winding paths of the Quest.
Val wrote her first book, A Witch’s Kitchen, in 2001. Since then, she has written articles for The Cauldron, has a regular column about Norfolk magic in Quest, and another about magical herbalism in Pagan Dawn.
Her most recent books are Of Chalk and Flint: A Way of Norfolk Magic and Bounded in a Nutshell: Lockdown, Magic and Infinite Space. Her newest book, Hallowtide: A Dark Devotional, is available on pre-order at www.troybooks.co.uk.

You can also support Val via her Patreon, which we can highly recommend - Val Thomas | creating a tapestry of magic: books, spells, charms and herbs. | Patreon

Hosted by Siofra Connor and Stacia Briggs, the Norfolk Folklore Society podcast is a series of audio expeditions into the weird and wonderful layers of England’s most enigmatic county. Each episode is a deep dive, moving beyond well-trodden tales to uncover the living strangeness in the landscape-from whispered ghost stories in forgotten churches and encounters with elusive big cats in the fens, to the peculiar history of village witchcraft and modern accounts of lights in the Broads sky. The conversations feel like joining two deeply knowledgeable friends on a long walk down a muddy lane, where every crumbling wall or oddly shaped tree might have a story. This isn’t just about cataloguing the past; it’s about listening to how these old currents of belief, fear, and magic still ripple through the present. Whether you’re someone who instinctively scans a field for fairy rings or you simply enjoy a compelling, atmospheric story, this podcast offers a unique and grounded perspective. The tone is one of genuine curiosity and respect, treating each subject, no matter how uncanny, with thoughtful consideration. You’ll hear firsthand accounts, historical research, and lively discussion that connects ancient folklore to contemporary experience, all centered on the rich, eerie soil of Norfolk. It’s for anyone who suspects there’s more to a place than what appears on the map.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Norfolk Folklore Society
Podcast Episodes
The Man on The Lowes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:33
In this episode we head back to South Norfolk for an unusual story. One that was collected by a local author and we think it has only ever shared in print once.Prepare yourself for some wild speculation on who, or what,…
Creatures from the Norfolk lagoons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:59
In this episode, we dive into murky waters to compare Norfolk and Suffolk folklore with one of Universal Studios’ most iconic monsters: the Creature from the Black Lagoon.Stacia kicks things off with a synopsis of the 19…
Mummies of Norfolk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
In this episode on our theme of Hollywood Monsters, we’re unwrapping Mummies. Norfolk is linked to the most famous mummy of them all, but we've chatted about that before in episode 88. Today we discover a new-to-us local…
Werewolves of Norfolk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
In this episode we have a chat about werewolves and look for examples of werewolves popping up in Norfolk. We actually find quite a few stories!Also, sorry for the f-word. Siofra got over excited.
Vampires of Norfolk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
In this episode we discuss vampires of Norfolk. It may seem like an unlikely combo, but Norfolk has some surprising links to the classic monsters. It looks like this might be the start of a series...werewolves next!
2025 Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Lovely [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:12
It's the end of the year so we have a classic review of the year episode for your listening pleasure. Thank you all for sticking with for another year. We promise to get back to sharing podcasts every month. We've even g…
Live at the Bungay Black Shuck Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
Finally, our live recording at the Bungay Black Shuck Festival 2025! We share an intriguing photo taken recently in Norfolk and we welcome special guests Anne and Tom. They share their absolutely amazing encounter with B…
Live at The Holloway: Ghosts of St Benedict's Street, Norwich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:38
Recorded in the basement of The Holloway in Norwich, hidden beneath St Benedict’s Street, this episode was captured before a live audience, though we can’t promise it was only the living who joined us. We explore the ric…
The Haunting of St Stephen's Church, Norwich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
In this episode we explore the history and haunting of St Stephen's church in central Norwich. Expect dramatic music, Siofra saying "like" a lot (sorry about that) and what appears to be a pretty rare type of haunting.
S2 Ep29: Your Questions - part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
Good morning from the Norfolk Folklore Society! This month, we’re handing the microphone over to you—our lovely loyal followers! That’s right, our latest podcast is dedicated entirely to your questions, and you had so ma…