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Dr David Clarke

@davidwclarke.bsky.social
354 followers 313 following 21 posts

Folklorist and Journalist. Associate Professor, Sheffield Hallam University. Project lead, AHRC National Folklore Survey. Views expressed entirely my own. www.drdavidclarke.co.uk Blog: drclarke.substack.com

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Reposted by Dr David Clarke
National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
We have two delights for you today: a reproduction of a 2005 article in which @davidwclarke.bsky.social interviews Professor John Widdowson, and our final episode of the second series of Folklore Matters where David and John join Andrew Robinson for a BIG conversation about all things folklore
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
On Monday 22nd and June, I and @davidwclarke.bsky.social will be talking about the National Folklore Survey @nfsengland.bsky.social in The Museum Pub, Sheffield City centre - it's free, all welcome!
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
My preview of The Alien Autopsy Scandal (Sky Documentaries, Friday 12 June 9 pm): open.substack.com/pub/drclarke...
open.substack.com
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN?
The Alien Autopsy Scandal
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
In the latest special issue from @forteantimes.bsky.social, our @davidwclarke.bsky.social casts his eye across boggarts, fire festivals, folk horror and more. It’s a great read, looking into the archives and, crucially, looking forward. Enjoy!
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Zaron Mizmeras @zaronmiz.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Thoroughly enjoyed the visual folklore of UAPs exhibition curated by Andrew Robinson & @davidwclarke.bsky.social for the @nfsengland.bsky.social. A wonderful representation of my cultural history! ✨👽✨
A cute green alien person standing in for t of a video screen showing footage of military videos of UAPs. Ancient artifacts of ufo cultureA collection of drawings of uapsIllustrations of uaps
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Our Andrew Robinson recently got his paws on this: the crying boy image that started it all off. New to the crying boy phenomenon? Have a read of @davidwclarke.bsky.social’s piece in our contemporary legend themed issue of Revenant.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
So here it is: the final episode of the first series of Folklore Matters! This time, @dianearodgers.bsky.social interviewed @helenwheatley.bsky.social about folk horror, the gothic and screen screen screen. It’s a great episode to end on - but don’t worry, we’ll be back for series two!
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
For more information about the exhibition, take a look at our website: www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/invasio...
nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk
Invasion of the Saucermen — National Folklore Survey for England
Senior Lecturer in Photography, Andrew Robinson, introduces the ‘Invasion of the Saucermen’ exhibition taking place this March and April in Sheffield City Centre.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Our Andrew Robinson has been hard at work installing the new exhibition, Invasion of the Saucermen, at the Old Post Hall in Sheffield. Here’s a sneak preview… join us for the opening on Wednesday 11 March, 5-7pm.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Join us tomorrow evening (Wed 11 March) for the opening night of Invasion of the Saucermen, a new exhibition exploring the visual legacy of UFOlogy. 5-7pm, The Old Head Post Office, Fitzalan Square, Sheffield
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The Folklore Podcast @folklorepod.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
If you can't get to Sheffied but you would like to see an online talk based on this exhibition, the head to bit.ly/flaevents and book for Invasion of the Saucermen. Proceeds will support the charity @folklorelibrary.bsky.social
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Series one of Folklore Matters comes to an end tomorrow - and we want to hear your thoughts. What did you like? What could be improved? Who should we be speaking to for series two?
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Fortean Times @forteantimes.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
New issue on sale now! Erich Von Däniken's ancient aliens; cracking the Zodiac killer's code; Welsh folk horror; Hannen Swaffer & AO Spare; rains of ghostly coins; changelings in court; tapeworm diets; surfboard stealing otters; fairy fungus; new UFO docs & more! shop.forteantimes.com/current-issue
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London Fortean Society @forteanlondon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Strange Central 2026: Mysteries, Monsters, Ghosts, and UFOs Online and @conwayhall.bsky.social Saturday 18 April 10 am - 5 pm Coin specialist Dominic Chorney investigates the world of ‘occult numismatics’ from magical pennies to UFO currency. forteanlondon.blogspot.com/2026/02/stra... (6/8)
It's a coin, dated 1656, showing a UFO-like cart wheel floating in a cloudy sky. Text: Opport VNVS. Adest.A bronze coin with a grinning sasquatch head. The sasquatch has shoulder-length, straight hair and menacing eyes beneath furrowed brows. Text around the coin reads: 'A wild man's head from the land of Jesso to be seen at'.
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London Fortean Society @forteanlondon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Strange Central 2026: Mysteries, Monsters, Ghosts, and UFOs. Online and @conwayhall.bsky.social Saturday 18 April 10 am - 5 pm Mirage Men's @markopilkington.bsky.social discloses the state of UFO sightings under Trump. Are they coming to save us? forteanlondon.blogspot.com/2026/02/stra... (5/8)
Stock image of a flying saucer hovering over tree-tops in black and white with fake grain and marks on it to indicate authenticity. 
Look at Mark Pilkington, a friendly-looking white man with shoulder-length hair and a bit of salt in his black-pepper beard. His Roman nose looks like it might have been broken at some point. I've never noticed that before.
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London Fortean Society @forteanlondon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Strange Central 2026: Mysteries, Monsters, Ghosts, and UFOs Online and @conwayhall.bsky.social Saturday 18 April 10 am - 5 pm @alicevernon10.bsky.social, Ben Machell & Sarah Sparkes discuss paranormal archives and investigators. forteanlondon.blogspot.com/2026/02/stra... (4/8)
Classic ghost, a figure beneath a shroud, stands in a stone porch in front of a large door. The ghost is illuminated by light from the right. Advert for Alice Vernon's book 'Ghosted' featuring the book cover, a ghost descending stairs, and a candle, for some reason. Text reads: 'Ghosted. A history of ghost hunting and why we keep looking.' Cover of Ben Machell's book 'Chasing the Dark'. Cross-section of a large house with floating furniture in it to indicate poltergeist or some other psychic activity. Author and researcher Alice Vernon smiles in a leather jacket while standing in front of some old, rusted railings. Not sure where this is, though. The stone is grey, the windows are narrow. Maybe Edinburgh?
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
The Angels of Mons is the best known legend of #WW1 but what is the true origin of the story? Watch @skyhistory.bsky.social Britain's X-Files to find out: www.history.co.uk/articles/the...
history.co.uk
The Angel of Mons and other supernatural stories from WWI
The men of World War I experienced unimaginable horrors. Some claimed to have experienced the supernatural, too
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Reposted by Dr David Clarke
National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Our @dianearodgers.bsky.social has made a short video to explain what the National Folklore Survey for England is all about.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Episode four of Folklore Matters has landed and it’s a special one: a recording of @cerihoulbrook.bsky.social and @odavies9.bsky.social at Off The Shelf in October discussing their latest book, Folklore: a journey through past and present. It’s a corker if we do say so ourselves!
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Invasion of the Saucermen is a new exhibition at the Old Head Post Office at @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social, opening next month. We caught up with Andrew Robinson to hear about its conception - and how the Survey feeds into the display: www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/invasio...
nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk
Invasion of the Saucermen — National Folklore Survey for England
Senior Lecturer in Photography, Andrew Robinson, introduces the ‘Invasion of the Saucermen’ exhibition taking place this March and April in Sheffield City Centre.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Today on Folklore Matters, you can hear us discussing folklore and art, and consciously creating custom with the one and only Lucy Wright. She articulates things so beautifully so join us to connect all those folkloric dots you have floating around!
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
If you’re a Swift fan - and not necessarily the Taylor kind - you might like our colleague Chris Jones and his Swift Diaries. cwjoneschris.substack.com/p/swift-diar...
cwjoneschris.substack.com
Swift Diaries
Early May Entries
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Reposted by Dr David Clarke
London Fortean Society @forteanlondon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Strange Central 2026: Mysteries, Monsters, Ghosts, and UFOs Online and @conwayhall.bsky.social Saturday 18 April 10 am - 5 pm @davidwclarke.bsky.social explores the legend of the Calvine UFO photograph. 'More twists than a John le Carre novel' forteanlondon.blogspot.com/2026/02/stra... (3/8)
Craig Lindsay, press officer at RAF base in Pitreavie Castle, holds a grainy photograph of the Calvine UFO. A grainy image of a diamond-shaped UFO exiting stage left, pursued by what looks like a fighter jet.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Our research shows that 13% of people in England - that’s roughly 5 million people - believe that it is lucky if swallows, swifts and/or house martins build a nest in the eaves of your home.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
We’ve released more findings relating to love and luck today. Head to: www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/love-an...
nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk
Love and luck this February — National Folklore Survey for England
Revealing the latest set of findings from the National Folklore Survey for England.
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Reposted by Dr David Clarke
National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Have you ever inscribed names on a padlock and locked it in a public place? Our survey has found 4.9% of people living in England today have - that’s around 2 million people - and you’re most likely to do it if you live in the North West, and more likely if you’re Hindu, Sikh, or Muslim.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Tomorrow on the website we’ll be releasing the latest findings from the survey. But one glorious nugget for you today: a quarter of people in England (23.9% to be precise) believe that Friday 13th is an unlucky day. Those most likely to believe this are women, aged 16-24, and white.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
You know all about The Wicker Man… now hear from one of the Children of The Wicker Man. On Folklore Matters today, we talk to Dominic Hardy, son of Robin, to hear all about the film’s legacy and its impact on his family. Source it wherever you get your podcasts…
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Chariots of the Gods? author Eric von Daniken who believed god was an alien astronaut dies age 90: www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
independent.co.uk
Erich von Däniken, author who spawned alien archaeology theory, dies at 90
The Swiss author whose bestselling books about the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him fame
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
England is a nation of gift-givers at Christmas! It’s mammoth but it’s worth making your way through our new website post about what the Survey has revealed about Christmas traditions - there are some surprises… www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/its-chr...
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
This was the stat that surprised us the most: 57% of people report that watching films and TV is as important a Christmas tradition as decorating the home and visiting friends and relatives
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Our Survey tells us that 38% of folks living in England today make festive foods at Christmas. Are you one of them? If so, what are you making? I’m (Sophie) terrible at icing cakes so I continue my mum’s tradition of the ‘rustic’ make-it-look-like-snow icing on the Christmas cake.
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
28.1% of people living in England today host or attend a Christmas party. Are you one of them?
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Hands up: who’s already tucking in? Over 40% of people living in England report eating and drinking ‘to excess’ at Christmas. What we didn’t ask: what we’re eating or drinking to excess. Anyone care to furnish us with their answers? (Nutella over here!)
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National Folklore Survey for England @nfsengland.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
63.5% of people living in England today will be settling down to a Christmas meal tomorrow. So what will it be on your plate? Traditional turkey and all the trimmings? The vegan alternative? Or something different altogether?
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Santa's Sleigh or something stranger? Seasonal samples from the @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy collection of #UFO files: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
nationalarchives.gov.uk
UFO reports
Sightings of unidentified flying objects – UFOs – have been reported over our skies for decades. The Ministry of Defence has kept records of them since the 1960s, now held at The National Archives. Mo...
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
UK government DCMS launch inventories of Intangible Cultural Heritage (#folklore) under the UNESCO convention on safeguarding of living heritage, submissions close March 2026 livingheritage.unesco.org.uk
livingheritage.unesco.org.uk
Welcome | Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK
Help build the Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK. From pantomime to dry-stone walling – share your community's traditions and social practices. Start your submission today.
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Is Bonfire Night being replaced by #Halloween in English folk tradition? Results from @nfsengland.bsky.social revealed today #NFS: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Is Bonfire Night slowly being replaced by Halloween?
Halloween’s increasing popularity could challenge Bonfire Night as England's autumn favourite.
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Four million English folk have seen something in the sky they can't explain and almost one third believe governments are covering up the existence of #UFOs; results from the National Folklore Survey #NFS: open.substack.com/pub/drclarke...
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Happy Halloween 👻🎃💀! Here are some of the results from our National Folklore Survey about how people living in England celebrate, as visualised for us by artist Jonny Ford'!
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Me and my team @nfsengland.bsky.social @davidwclarke.bsky.social & Sophie Parkes-Nield all quoted in The Guardian today about our Halloween results from the National Folklore Survey! #folklorethursday www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
A third of people in England believe in ghosts, survey finds
National Folklore Survey, the first in over 60 years, found people aged 25-34 most likely to believe in the paranormal
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Patricia Crowther, High Priestess of wicca, author and teacher, has died at the age of 97 in Sheffield. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Patricia Crowther, known as UK’s oldest witch, dies aged 97
Wiccan high priestess’s 1970s BBC radio series is credited with helping to popularise modern witchcraft
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
The Druids Oak is 800 years old - can it help save tomorrow's forests? www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
The Druids Oak is 800 years old - can it help save forests?
Scientists are decoding the DNA of Britain’s ancient oaks to crack the secrets of their superpowers.
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Gavin Miller @drgavinmiller.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
@royalsoced.bsky.social @dmcmenemy.bsky.social @davidwclarke.bsky.social
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
To mark the 35th anniversary of Britain's most talked about #UFO legend our new resource page includes a hi-res download of the #CalvineUFO and links to our research dating back to 2009: contemporarylegend.co.uk/calvine/
contemporarylegend.co.uk
CALVINE
This page contains information regarding the infamous Calvine UFO Sighting based on research undertaken by a team of academics, investigators and other contributors led by Dr David Clarke of the Ce…
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
The Canadian government release their Sky Project report on #ufos and recommend the launch of a new team to collect sightings. Their survey found 27% of Canadians have seen a #UFO #UAPs : science.gc.ca/site/science...
science.gc.ca
Management of Public Reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Canada
Report of the Sky Canada Project from the Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada June 2025
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
#ISCLR2025 Has opened! Fascinating talks from Aphrodite-Lidia Nounanaki and a wonderful keynote by legendary scholar Bengt at Kilntberg! @davidwclarke.bsky.social and I did our presentation on @nfsengland.bsky.social also :)
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
'Greetings, carbon based bipeds!' - Scientists find 'strongest evidence yet' of life on distant planet #SETI www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Scientists find promising hints of life on distant planet K2-18b
Scientists find new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life.
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Debunking the marsh gas theory for #folklore traditions and experiences of the Will o'the Wisp/ghost-lights in East Anglia and elsewhere: my presentation @lincsfolk.bsky.social symposium @trentuniversity.bsky.social i: lincolnshirefolktalesproject.com
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Dr David Clarke @davidwclarke.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
'Spaghetti growing on trees' - are we too wary of the #AprilFools prank? #folklore #NFS: www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
April Fools Day: Are we too suspicious of a prank story nowadays?
Humorous headlines once flooded the papers on 1 April. Experts explain why it does not happen today.
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