I still can’t quite believe it but on Thursday I found out that Weird in the Wade had been shortlisted for Best History Podcast at the British Podcast Awards along side 6 other fantastic podcasts.
I wanted to share this news with you in a blog so I could say a few thank yous and reflect on the last 15 months of podcasting because in March 2023 when I attended Uncanny Con and shared the story of Biggleswade’s Haunted Pound Stretcher I could not have imagined that I’d be nominated for such an amazing award. It’s just a bit mind blowing for me.
I was persuaded to enter the awards by my friend Tess, who wrote the Weird in the Wade theme music and Potton Poisoner theme for the show. It involved me sending off a reel to be judged. Apparently the judges sifted through 1000+ entries adding up to 11 days listening. It was a big panel of judges! And somehow mine got through.
I decided to enter the awards for a couple of reasons.
One: to appease Tess! It was easier to do it than to keep dodging her questions about had I submitted my entry yet 😀
Two: In January 2023 I was challenged by the wonderful Kerry Ryan founder of Write Like a Grrrl to not only finish something I was writing but to submit it for publication. I was terrified of sharing my work widely, you see.
So Weird in the Wade was a way for me to be forced to finish something, each episode, but I was still shirking the submitting my writing bit. Obviously I release the episodes and I have been so fortunate to find an audience. When Tess encouraged me to submit a reel to the awards, I decided that I should do it to prove to myself, that I could take risks with my work. I was prepared to not be shortlisted, in fact I expected to not be shortlisted I knew I’d be up against fantastic well established podcast producers like the BBC, Wondery and Noiser as well as other brilliant independent podcasters.
I am so glad that I took the challenge!
The nominees
Here are the other History nominees:
Blood on the Dance Floor – BBC
Have You Heard George’s Podcast? – Groundwork Communications Limited
The Curious History of Your Home – Noiser
The Gatekeepers – BBC Scotland
Three Million – BBC
Weird in the Wade
Witch – Storyglass
I’ve listened to all of the above and they are amazing podcasts, I particularly enjoyed Witch and Blood on the Dancefloor.
What happens next?
Well a smaller panel of judges will decide on the overall winners and there is an awards ceremony in London in September, and yes there’s a pink carpet to walk down! I’m already planning my outfit.
Although the history category is judged by a panel, listeners can vote for their favourite podcasts at: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
What does it mean for the podcast?
Well other than putting a huge grin on my face for the last few days, I’m not yet sure. It’s amazing encouragement for me to be shortlisted. Hopefully new listeners will find the show through the podcast awards and the publicity around it.
On another level I think it’s quite significant that Weird in the Wade has received this recognition and here’s why:
It’s a podcast about a regional area (although obviously the themes are universal) and Biggleswade and Bedfordshire are not areas which receive much recognition. I plan to explore why that is in a future episode. So I hope this helps in a small way put Biggleswade on the map.
It’s a history podcast about social history with a paranormal or strange twist. And it’s great to see that side of history being recognised. Interest in the paranormal is often seen as a bit kooky, spooky and not very serious. I hope that Weird in the Wade has shown that studying ghost stories, folklore and urban myth can actually shed light on some fascinating historical stories that help us to understand ourselves better. I’ve also tried to champion local voices which have been side-lined or ignored. Exploring myths around blindness, mental health, and disability, working class and women’s history, as well as my own personal experiences.
Thank you!
I want to extend some huge thank yous to so many people because although I make the podcast largely by myself, so many others have made this possible.
My husband Jase, not just for his tech support though that is much appreciated, has put up with me going on and on about the podcast and ghosts for the last 15 months!
Tess for all of her support, encouragement and fantastic music.
The Uncanny Community for embracing Aggie the ghost who haunts the Bigglewade pound stretcher and then embracing the podcast.
The actual Uncanny Team, Danny Robins for being so supportive and Ciaran O’Keeffe who features in the next episode of the Weird in the Wade, The Night Hag, out tomorrow (Monday 29th July!)
All my guests and collaborators on the show, thank you so much for your time, your stories and your generosity. Thank you to my guests Paul Jameson, Owen Staton from Time Between Times podcast, Penny, Al, Wayne from Eerie Edinburgh podcast, Paul Day, Josh, and the other York hotel guests, Mark Knight, Kara, Mandy, Michael and Ciaran!
The Write Like a Grrrl team especially Kerry Ryan, I’d have not been able to write a single episode with out all the learning and support I’ve received from them over the last 8 years.
And last but certainly not least all my lovely, lovely listeners! Thank you for listening and please keep tuning in!
Weird In The Wade 