Episode 4

full
Published on:

18th Nov 2024

Ghosts and Witches

In this episode, we delve into local legends, spine-chilling ghost stories, and the haunting tales of women accused of witchcraft in Washington’s history. Featuring Lady of the Biddick House, written and performed by Paige Temperley, this episode brings the past to life with captivating stories and performances.

Lady of the Biddick House

Paige Temperley



Lady of the Biddick House had her little heart ripped out

Love forbidden, so profound, she was upstairs he was down

You see, it can’t be, if there status in-between

But believe, she’d a need for a man with thumbs of green

Lady of the Biddick House, slow and surely she snuck out

Love forbidden, so profound, only rose bushes surrounded

Them as they fell, deeper under true loves spell

 In society’s cell he was the Beast and she was Belle


A story she knew all too well

Wouldn’t let it die with them 


Lady of the Biddick House decided to stick around

Holding onto love once found, she would show them ‘not allowed’

Obsess and digress, trapped in a lifetime’s distress

Many centuries guest, draws a spirit of unrest


Lady of the Biddick House learned her home would be knocked down

Mr Ferry’s garden now, must make way for a new town

The roses he grew, with his hands he would remove

But the Lady refused, threw them back to what she knew


Lady of the Biddick House, heart forever bleeding out…

 

Guests:

Washington Community Podcasting Group, Roseanna Erskine, Paige Temperley, Gloria Finnigan, Jim Metcalfe, Liz Greener, Anderson.

Music and Production

  • Produced by: Grace Stubbings & the Washington Community Podcasting Group
  • Music by: David Brewis & Paige Temperley
  • Executive Producers: Caroline Mitchell & Jude Murphy

About the Project

This episode was developed in collaboration with:

  • Washington Heritage Partnership
  • Sunderland City Council’s Washington Area Committee
  • Sunderland Culture at The Arts Centre Washington
  • Baseline Shift
  • We Make Culture

Supported by:

  • The University of Sunderland
  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for making this project possible.

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About the Podcast

The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass
Collecting and Sharing Stories of Washington New Town
‘The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass' – Stories of Washington New Town is a podcast collaboration between Washington Heritage Partnership, Sunderland Culture, We Make Culture, University of Sunderland, Baseline Shift, and Arts Centre Washington. Since April 2024, podcaster and musician Grace Stubbings, along with the Washington community podcasting group, has been gathering and sharing stories of life in Washington.

Musicians Paige Temperley and David Brewis (Field Music) have worked with community members at Arts Centre Washington to transform these stories into songs. Drawing inspiration from the radio ballads of Charles Parker, Ewan MacColl, and Peggy Seeger, the podcast combines music, interviews, sounds, and archive recordings.

The podcast was made possible due to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and our thanks go to Lottery players