S2 Ep18: Norfolk Folklore Presents Lucy Spirit and Rachel Duffield - The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

S2 Ep18: Norfolk Folklore Presents Lucy Spirit and Rachel Duffield - The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

Author: Norfolk Folklore Society February 15, 2024 Duration: 47:53
We were absolutely delighted to welcome Lucy Spirit and Rachel Duffield as our January speakers the Norfolk Heritage Centre at the Norwich Millennium Library.

Rachel, who is an artist and costume marker, a historical reenactor and an incredible painter who spent years working for Norfolk Museums Service will be presenting the talk written by Lucy, a researcher, writer, open-minded sceptic and spooky expert.

Those attending will discover a brief history of Raynham Hall and the life of its infamous ‘Brown Lady’ ghost and how she became a worldwide phenomenon, the history of spirit photography, its controversial reputation and the photographer and sceptic who battled in court over its authenticity and the legacy of spirit photography.

The talk will be the third in a series of Norfolk Folklore Society events for The British Library’s Living Knowledge Network’s Fantasy: Realms of Imagination exhibition which has been funded by Anguish’s Educational Foundation and Arts Council England.

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: 50

Norfolk Folklore Society
Podcast Episodes
S1 Ep86: The rising dead at Corpusty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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S1 Ep85: The Happisburgh Torso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On this episode we discuss the gruesome tale of the Happisburgh Torso. We actually thought that we'd lost this recording so please excuse the references to Christmas!
S1 Ep84: No Man's Friend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:59
In this episode Stacia and Siofra discuss No Man's Friend. A field which was said to be cursed and is now lost to the sea.
S1 Ep83: Northrepps Shrieking Pits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:50
On this episode Stacia and Siofra go adventuring in north Norfolk to visit the shrieking pit in Northrepps. It gets a bit windy out there!
S1 Ep82: Cutthroat Lane, Yaxham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:46
On this episode we discuss the stories behind the name of Cutthroat lane in the little village of Yaxham.
S1 Ep81: The Mistletoe Bride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:57
On this episode we share the festive tale of mistletoe bride and we look at its possible connection to Norfolk. Merry Christmas everyone!
S1 Ep80: Horning Timeslip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
On this episode Stacia and Siofra discuss an an unsettling time slip in Horning and ask some big questions about time.