Items mentioned in / related to the interview

• The Dorset Ooser (Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset_Ooser)

• "Where Is the Dorset Ooser?", strangehistory.net (18 February 2016)

• Ben Johnson, "Doset Ooser", historic-uk.com

• "The Dorset Ooser", Dorset County Museum (01 May 2015)

• Book: Daniel Patrick Quinn, The Dorset Ooser, (2000) downloadable from wessexmorrismen.co.uk [external PDF]

• "Skimmity riding" (Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charivari)

• Winterbourne Steepleton (Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_Steepleton)

• Tilly Whim Caves : a short information film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIpvoGhKC9s)

• The Aggleston : a geological study by Dr. Ian West, Southampton University (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~imw/Studland-Tertiary.htm)

• William Barnes (Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Barnes)

• Thomas Hardy (Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hardy)

• April Fools' Day (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools%27_Day)

Mentions of the Ooser and Skimmity Riding by Thomas Hardy

• The Ooser mentioned by Thomas Hardy in his The Return of the Native (1878) available at Project Gutenburg (emphasis added):

Mrs. Yeobright spoke to him as one in a mesmeric sleep. " 'Tis a long way home, my child, and we shall not get there till evening."

"I shall," said her small companion. "I am going to play marnels afore supper, and we go to supper at six o'clock, because father comes home. Does your father come home at six too?"

"No, he never comes; nor my son either, nor anybody."

"What have made you so down? Have you seen a ooser?"

"I have seen what's worse—a woman's face looking at me through a window-pane."

"Is that a bad sight?"

"Yes. It is always a bad sight to see a woman looking out at a weary wayfarer and not letting her in."

• Skimmity riding mentioned by Thomas Hardy in his The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) available at Project Gutenburg (emphasis added):

" “I say, what a good foundation for a skimmity-ride,” said Nance.

“True,” said Mrs. Cuxsom, reflecting. “'Tis as good a ground for a skimmity-ride as ever I knowed; and it ought not to be wasted. The last one seen in Casterbridge must have been ten years ago, if a day.”

Acknowledgements

• Podcast theme music: Chillout Me by Antony Raijekov from his Jazz U album (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

• Incidental music: Lightout by Antony Raijekov from his Jazz U compilation (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

• The original Dorset Ooser mask, photographed by John W.Chaffin and Sons of Yeovil sometime between 1883 and 1891 [copyright expired]

• Sound effects, all via Freesound.org:

  • "Barking Aldi Dog" by qubodup (CC-BY-3.0), excerpts used in background;

  • "Grandfather Clock Chime.wav" by lonemonk (CC-BY-3.0), excerpt used in background;

  • "Ur - 10min.mp3" by Gallhachel (CC-BY-3.0), excerpt used as a loop in background;

  • "Roaring Coal And Wood Fire 10 mins.mp3" by megoba (CC BY-NC 3.0), excerpt used as a loop in background;

  • "OWL in calm Environment-natural reverb_4-Channel_44kHz.wav" by BlueDelta (CC0 1.0)

• In accordance with the conditions of relevant licences TMR wishes to state that the fact that these creative materials appear in TMR productions should in no way be understood as implying that its creators endorse anything published by TMR.

• British Lawnmower Museum (http://www.lawnmowerworld.co.uk/)

• Spaghetti harvesters of Ticino (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVo_wkxH9dU)

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Special Note

• Listeners who may be concerned about the verisimilitude of the information contained in this particular podcast are kindly advised to consult the publication date.