Whisht! Lads: North East Folklore
North East Folklore with North East Folk
Join us for a journey through the North East's folklore and customs; meeting local folk out and about where the stories are set to share their favourite tales and traditions.
From graveyard ghost cats to castle wyrms; you'll learn about the uncanny nooks and wyrd crannies across the region.
If you'd like to join us to share your story, email northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com
Episodes

Friday May 01, 2026
Friday May 01, 2026
Join Zakia Sewell on her quest for Albion in this conversation with British Black Folk Collective's Bianca Wilson.
They chat through the themes of the book: community, folk against fascism, and the hope from curiosity; and about Zakia's own journey through the British folk calendar as a woman of colour.
With thanks to Zakia and Bianca for hosting this conversation with us, and get in touch to have your own! northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com

Friday Apr 24, 2026
Friday Apr 24, 2026
Take a wander around Hylton Castle with me and listen North East Nostalgic's retelling of the Cauld Lad of Hylton.
What we lacked in castle access (we didn't check the opening times) we made up for with chat about our favourite North East sites, how to chat to loved ones about their family history memories, and being proud of our North East accent.
Hope you enjoy!
If you'd like to chat about your favourite folklore tale, site, or fact, chuck me a message at northeastfolklore@gmail.com - season 2 is being recorded over May/June and I'd love to have you on there!

Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Settle in with a beer or brew for this Whisht! Lads episode where we're doing things a little bit differently; not only is the chat done online, we're also taking a detour away from tales to talk about traditions.
Jake is an award-winning poet and writer from South Shields. He once set off on a pilgrimage of the North East - connecting with the often unseen or heard sites and stories of the region - then he wrote a cool book about it called Between the Salt and the Ash. The paperback is out now; you should totes buy it!
If you have a favourite folklore tale, site, tradition, or piece of music - I'd love to talk to you about it. Email me at northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com

Friday Mar 27, 2026
Friday Mar 27, 2026
Join me and Gary for a wander about Worm Hill in Fatfield to hear the story of the Lambton Worm - I know, not Penshaw Monument!
We chat about the evolution of folklore tales and how they change depending who is sharing it and where; and have a bit of crack about how the modern folk scene connects us to landscape, people, and history.
There's no falling over on this one, but we do hop a few fences.
Hope you enjoy the chat - and if you want to share your own, email me on northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com

Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
For this week's podcast we're doing something a bit different, wandering around the Drake Stone feeling its energy and sharing the tales we've heard about its history.
We also chat about community building, permission to folk, and how Linsey became to be known at the Westminster Lady
If you'd like to meet me for a wander and chat about your favourite north east folklore tale, email northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com

Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
I met with Lauren Moss (@folkloriclauren) in a very wet and windy Bamburgh to hear about the Laidly Worm of Bamburgh.
We chat about immersive folklore experiences, medieval recipes (with herbs, please), and her recommended local sites to head along to and learn more about north east folklore.
If you'd like to meet me for a wander and chat, email northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com

Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
Join Dave Silk and the North East Folklore Society's, Nikki, for a wander around St Andrews' graveyard to hear the folklore tale, Johnny Reed's Cat.
Come for the spooky cat; but stay for the chat about churches, local authors, and where to look if you're interested in North East folklore.






