Looking at centuries of crack and scandal from the Great Border City. From murders and manslaughters, to ghost stories and folklore, join me as we explore the darker side of Carlisle.
Local legend tells of an 18th century highwayman who was gibbeted alive for murder, and whose heart-rending cries can still be heard at night along the A6. But how true is this ghost story? Join me as I investigate the crimes and execution of John Whitfield, and how over 250 years of story-telling has shaped how we view his death today. Support Carlisle Times & Crimes on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook for more crack an...
31 Aug 2026
Louden's Box - The Carlisle Coffin Mystery
When a large box addressed to Mrs Louden was delivered to the Bush Hotel in 1859, it remained unclaimed for a year. When the hotel staff eventually opened it, they discovered a child's body in a coffin inside. This incredible story takes us around the north - Carlisle, Newcastle, Hartlepool, Glasgow, Greenock and Paisley as well as across the other side of the world to New Zealand. Will the authorities be able to solve the Carlisle Coffin Mystery? Or will the person responsible for Louden's...
31 Jul 2026
The Shaddongate Election Riot Of 1826
When an MP's visit to a Shaddongate constituent descends into a riot, three people are left dead after the military open fire on those gathered. Were the authorities justified for using military force, or was this a heavy-handed response to working class anger? And would anyone be held responsible for the deaths of three civilians? This riot prompted the creation of the Carlisle Police Force. But when the new Chief Constable arrived in town, he received a similar welcome from Shaddong...
30 Jun 2026
Adam Bell Of Inglewood Forest - Carlisle's Robin Hood
This lighthearted episode tells the tale of Adam Bell, Clym of The Clough and William of Cloudslie, three medieval outlaws living in Inglewood Forest. This Royal Forest once thrived between Penrith and Carlisle. After six months in the forest, William attempts to see his wife in Carlisle but is caught and faces the noose. Will Adam and Clym be able to rescue their brother? And to what ends will these men go to obtain their freedom? If you'd like to toss a coin to your bar...
31 May 2026
The Two Executions of Daniel McCrory
Daniel McCrory was a known rogue suspected of several robberies and burglaries. In 1813, an act of mercy during one burglary would be his downfall. However, Daniel McCrory's ultimate fate would assure him of his place in Carlisle's history of crime and punishment. Join me as we tek a deeks at The Two Executions Of Daniel McCrory. Support Carlisle Times & Crimes by following the podcast and giving it a 5 star review! Donate here: ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes ...
30 Apr 2026
Carlisle - An Olde Travel Guide
With people looking forward to their holidays, I thought it would be interesting to look at some first impressions of Carlisle made by early notable tourists. First, we go back to 1698, when Celia Fiennes travelled to Carlisle on side saddle. Fiennes can be considered the first travel writer, although her diary entries documenting her trips weren't published until the 19th century as "Through England on Side Saddle (In The Time Of William And Mary)". While in the north, Celia is...
31 Mar 2026
Brawl On Botchergate - The Death Of Thomas Higgins
Plenty of fights have erupted over the years on Botchergate, Carlisle's drinking strip, but in August 1856, one fight resulted in the death of an innocent man. Find out what happened that fateful night, as we tek a deeks at the Brawl On Botchergate - The Death Of Thomas Higgins. Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook You can buy me a drink at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes Support the show
1 Mar 2026
The Eagle Of Sevastopol - From Crimea To Carlisle
When the 34th Regiment entered Sevastopol in September 1855, Private Joseph Carruthers took a large, gilded, wooden double-headed eagle from the ruins of the opera house as a war trophy. However, by the time the eagle arrived in Britain, and in the years following, Sergeant Edward Baker seemingly took credit for capturing the eagle. We'll follow the eagle's journey through the decades as it appeared as a prized possession of the 34th, later the Border Regiment. Can we get to the...
1 Feb 2026
The Raffles Murder - The Death Of Isabella Steele
On the 8th September 1887, William Hunter, Mary Steele, and Mary's three year old daughter, Isabella, set out from Wigton to walk around 13 miles to Carlisle. They had been tramping round the county all summer. Poor Isabella would not make it to the city alive. Find out what happened that day as we tek a deeks at "The Raffles Murder - The Death Of Isabella Steele". This episode contains descriptions of violence to children and suicide. Help Support the Page: Follow Carlisle Times &am...
1 Jan 2026
Burns' Night In Carlisle
As Scots around the world prepare to celebrate Burns Night, I take you back to 31st May 1787, when Rabbie Burns entered Carlisle, and spent the night at the Malt Shovel pub in Rickergate. I'll tell you what he got up to, and the wisecracking poetic words that Burns spoke in the city, forever being etched into Carlisle lore. Also in this episode, I bring you the creation of what I believe to be the first Carlisle Burns Club in 1818, how Carlisle celebrated the centenaries of the birth ...
1 Dec 2025
A Carlisle Carol
It's Christmas, and, like Jacob Marley, I bring you three ghosts of Christmas past. The clock strikes One: The first Ghost takes us back to 1843, where we will see how the wealthy and poor celebrate Christmas as Charles Dickens' festive classic was released. The clock strikes Two: The second Ghost of Christmas past shows us Charles Dickens in Carlisle in 1861, as he performed his works on stage. The clock strikes Three: Finally, the third Ghost of Christmas Past arrives to send a chill ...
1 Nov 2025
The Quakers In Carlisle
In 1653, George Fox arrived at Carlisle to preach his new vision of worship. Charged with blasphemy, and thrown into the dungeon, would the gallows be Fox's divine destiny? Then, two years later, Dorothy Waugh, a follower of Fox's religion, suffered the humiliation of the Scold's Bridle, a barbaric device designed to keep women silent, after also preaching in the town centre. Join me as I explore Carlisle's cruel role in the early days of The Society of Friends, otherwise known as The Quakers...
27 Oct 2025
Samhain Special: The Fiery Horse And Its Black Rider
In this bonus Halloween episode, we travel back to the days before the railways, and one woman's terrifying experience in the Botchergate area, where Carlisle's Citadel Station now stands. Also in this episode, we are teased with another equine-related ghost story from 19th century Botchergate. Carlisle Times & Crimes is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GcE8H4wRB/ If you'd like to buy me a drink or make a one-off donation to help towards running costs, you can ...
30 Sept 2025
The Dalston Road Murder - The Death Of Sebra Troughear
In 1889, a 53-year-old woman's body is discovered at the side of a muddy road with all evidence pointing to a sexual assault taking place before her death. Will the prime suspect be found guilty? Or will the investigation of the facts lead to an acquittal? Join me as we tek a deeks at the Dalston Road Murder. WARNING - This episodes contains references to and descriptions of sexual assault. You can see photos of Sebra's grave here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B86qM4cqZ/ You ...
31 Aug 2025
Bones In The Castle
A shocking discovery at Carlisle Castle in 1819, gives birth to Carlisle's most famous ghost story - the mother and baby found bricked up in the castle walls. But all is not as it seems... Also in this episode, the Victorian obsession with ghosts leads to some terrified soldiers on guard in the dead of the night... Join me in Carlisle as we take a deeks at the Bones In the Castle Carlisle Times & Crimes is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554983559701 You can als...
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