me standing in front of a fire engine. I am waring a green dress and I am holding a large mictophone and I'm smiliong.

Show Notes for Spontaneous Human Combustion: Mystery or Myth?

Posted on by Natalie Doig

You can listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts and in the UK also on BBC Sounds here

Phil a man with a beard wearing black trousers, boots and fire service top stands next to Nat who is wearing a green dress and is holding a large microphone and is smiling. They are both in front of a large fire engine / appliance.
Phil and Nat at the fire station

Fire Safety

Here’s some links to Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service advice regarding emollient creams: https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/emollient-creams

And here’s a link to all the fire safety advice available on their website: https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/safety-advice?child=fire-safety-home

Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC)

Here are some links to more information about SHC

General information about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_human_combustion

Countess Zangari Bandi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelia_Zangari_Bandi

Information about Margaret Reeser who died in 1951: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Mary_Reeser

Information about Margaret Hogan in 1970 and her death in the Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/ashes-and-cinders-a-spontaneous-combustion-on-prussia-street-1.3369596

A more recent case of SHC in Ireland: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15032614

The blog and podcast I mentioned about Charles Dickens and SHC: https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/disappearing-pod/hotter-than-the-dickens/

A black and white illustration of a man in a top hat and another man with straggly hair looking at a messy floor of ashes and an empty chair with a hat and cap on it. There is a black cat with its back arched in alarm next to them. The room is fool of soot and smoke.
Illustration from Bleak House the scene of Mr Krook’s demise

Cow fair lands Biggleswade

Here are some images of Cow Fair Lands in Biggleswade just before the site was demolished and rebuilt on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovebiggleswade/posts/10163400209922796/

Blue Lava

Here’s some information about blue lava: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_lava

Potton Community Fire Station

A fire station at dusk, the lights from in the garage are bright and a fire engine is inside. The sky is a deep blue and a moon is shining through some light clouds.
The fire station

Here’s some information about the firs stations the old and new from Bedfordshire archives: https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Potton/PottonFireStations.aspx

Here’s some information about the Potton fire brigade from the Potton History Society: https://pottonhistorysociety.org.uk/fire-brigade/

A large brass bell is attached to the wall with a long rope hanging from it.
The old fire bell

Here’s some information about the old tannery once on the site of the fire station: https://pottonhistorysociety.org.uk/the-tanyard/

A large red door with a window of safety glass in it looking on to a straight corridor and the front door.
The door which is heard to open and close by its self especially at night
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Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

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