Local Legends #30: David Longman

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by local historian David Longman, whose work chronicling Bedfordshire's 149 churches has thrown up some fascinating and very funny stories!

Before embarking on this particular project, David had spent 39 years working as a teacher and headteacher in middle schools in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire. Outside of his life in education, where his classroom specialism was history, David was ever a keen amateur photographer, and, after travelling the world photographing the last working steam locomotives, he drew his camera's focus closer to home.

David began photographing Bedfordshire’s parish churches in 2017, and as he did he started to notice certain architectural features and to collect associated legends.

Soon, in addition to gathering stories from across the county, he found himself giving regular talks to community groups and organisations about it all, which he continues to do to this day.

So, from castrated monks whose testicles regrew thanks to God, profoundly scandalous rectors, tales of ghosts, the Devil, and the so-called 'Keysoe Miracle,' David has some wonderful stories to tell - while also sharing an insider's view of Bedfordshire, which he rightly calls a "Secret County."

We really hope you enjoy the conversation, and otherwise will be back on Monday with our brand new County Episode, in which we will be galloping through the history and folklore of Gloucestershire!

Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

Three Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.

In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.

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