The Mysterious Tale of Ferguson's Gang

The Mysterious Tale of Ferguson's Gang

Author: National Trust April 4, 2024 Duration: 29:33

In the 1930s, the mysterious Ferguson’s Gang captivated the British public with their daring and unusual stunts. 

Led by the enigmatic “Bill Stickers”, the group was unlike any other gangsters of the era. They were mask-wearing, all-women activists who gave money in quirky ways to help save the countryside. 

In this docudrama, uncover the identities of the people behind the secretive Ferguson's Gang, and unravel a tale of intrigue, mischief and mayhem that made a lasting impact on British heritage.

[Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast. What was life like for domestic servants, workers and local communities at our most fascinating heritage sites? Discover how people from all walks of life lived and worked, and who with, in hundreds of census records, for free, by signing up with Findmypast. And find out about the free trial that you could use to explore your family history. See where the past takes you at: findmypast.co.uk/national-trust

Actor voices
Lizzie Crarer, Rae Alexander, Sally Rudd, and Caitlin Packer, courtesy of
https://www.primetheatre.co.uk/
Ric Jerrom and James Turton.

Production 
Producer and sound designer: Nikki Ruck 
Sound editor: Jesus Gomez

Explore Further
Discover more about the gang
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/people/who-were-fergusons-gang

Learn more about Ferguson's Gang and their legacy on Polly Bagnall’s website, where you can discover more about the book- Ferguson's Gang: The Remarkable Story of the National Trust Gangsters.
www.pollybagnall.com/ferguson-s-gang

Copies of Ferguson’s Gang’s ‘Boos’ are available for viewing at The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre by prior arrangement. 
www.wshc.org.uk/visiting-the-centre.


Ferguson’s Legacy
While Shalford Mill remains closed to the public, you can still explore the legacy of Ferguson's Gang by visiting Newtown Old Town Hall on the Isle of Wight, Mayon and Trevescan cliffs in Cornwall, and Stonehenge.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/isle-of-wight/newtown-national-nature-reserve-and-old-town-hall/history-at-newtown-old-town-hall
 
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/coast-beaches/discover-mayon-cliff

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stonehenge-landscape


There’s a story waiting in every landscape, a secret history woven into the hedgerows and hidden in the soil. Wild Tales | Nature Podcast, brought to you by the National Trust, goes beyond the guidebook to find those narratives. Each episode is a quiet exploration of the intricate connections between the natural world and our own place within it. You might find yourself listening to the surprising biography of a centuries-old oak tree, learning how coastal erosion reveals forgotten chapters of human history, or understanding the subtle language of birdsong at dawn. This isn’t just a catalog of facts; it’s an immersive audio experience that considers the science of a changing ecosystem alongside the cultural traditions it sustains. We visit specific places-ancient woodlands, rugged coastlines, and working farms-to hear directly from the people who know them best: rangers, historians, ecologists, and local communities. The result is a thoughtful collection of stories that change how you see the world outside your window. Tune into this podcast for a deeper sense of connection, a moment of calm reflection, and a renewed appreciation for the wild and historic places that shape our shared story.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast
Podcast Episodes
European Brown Bears | Where are you? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:09
Deep in the forests of Transylvania, one of Europe’s largest populations of brown bears still roams freely, often surprisingly close to busy towns and cities. Join National Trust ranger Rosie Holdsworth and her family as…
Operation Nutcracker | The Return of the Red Squirrel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:07
Red Squirrels were once a common sight in woodlands around the Uk but now, they’re one of our rarest Mammals. In this episode of Wild Tales, we head to Plas Newydd on the island of Ynys Môn in Wales, where a remarkable e…
Crayfish Gladiator Battle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:32
White-clawed crayfish were once common in Britain’s waterways. But thanks to a restaurant craze in the 1970’s, that brought the American signal crayfish to our shores, our only native freshwater crayfish is under threat…
The Dinosaur in the Cliff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:04
Ever hunted for fossils on a beach and felt like you might actually find something? Rosie heads to the Isle of Wight to the scene of the most complete dinosaur discovery in the UK in a hundred years. She’s joined by Dr J…
Toad Patrol | The Perilous Path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
As winter turns to spring , toads, frogs and newts across Britain begin their annual journey, making their way back to the ponds where they breed.For many, that journey means crossing busy roads and not all of them make…
Finding the Tundra Swan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:23
The Bewick’s or ‘Tundra’ swan has eluded ranger Ajay Tegala for years. It's hardly surprising: the swan’s epic migration is under pressure, and their numbers are dwindling. Can Ajay find them at their winter retreat of W…
You Might Like: Nature Fix | Stargazing in the City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
This week we’re sharing another of our podcasts we think you’ll enjoy. Nature Fix takes you on adventures with people whose lives have been shaped by the outdoors. In this episode, wrap up warm and turn your eyes to the…
The Island of Secret Seals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
Orford Ness is well practiced at keeping secrets; in the 1940s it was classified military research, but now it is a brand new colony of grey seals. Countryside Manager Matt Wilson guides us around the bomb craters to try…
Pine Martens’ Return [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:05
Pine martens were once common in Britain but now, they're one of our rarest carnivores. These slinky, tree-dwelling predators had virtually disappeared in England and Wales by the turn of the 20th Century. But pine marte…
Arctic Terns | Globetrotting Dive-bombers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:56
The Farne Islands in the North Sea, off the coast of Northumberland, have a very special species of seabird during the summer that fiercely protects its young with its dive-bombing technique. However, it’s the Arctic Ter…