Dr David Clarke
@davidwclarke.bsky.social
Folklorist and Journalist. Associate Professor, Sheffield Hallam University. Project lead, AHRC National Folklore Survey. Views expressed entirely my own. http://www.drdavidclarke.co.uk/
Blog: https://drclarke.substack.com/
Blog: https://drclarke.substack.com/
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...
Is Bonfire Night slowly being replaced by Halloween?
Halloween’s increasing popularity could challenge Bonfire Night as England's autumn favourite.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 10:59 AM
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...
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...
October 31, 2025 at 10:58 AM
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...
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
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'!
October 31, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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'!
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
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...
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
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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...
Patricia Crowther, High Priestess of wicca, author and teacher, has died at the age of 97 in Sheffield.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Patricia Crowther, High Priestess of wicca, author and teacher, has died at the age of 97 in Sheffield.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The Druids Oak is 800 years old - can it help save tomorrow's forests?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:27 AM
The Druids Oak is 800 years old - can it help save tomorrow's forests?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
👽 Should Scotland do more to celebrate its distinctive UFO history, before items are lost forever?
Enjoyed writing this. Thanks to @drgavinmiller.bsky.social for speaking to me.
Features a pair of trousers dubbed “the Turin Shroud of Scottish ufology”:
www.scotsman.com/heritage-and...
Enjoyed writing this. Thanks to @drgavinmiller.bsky.social for speaking to me.
Features a pair of trousers dubbed “the Turin Shroud of Scottish ufology”:
www.scotsman.com/heritage-and...
Should Scotland do more to celebrate its distinctive UFO history?
From world-famous cases to the Falkirk Triangle, items linked to this bizarre history risk being lost forever
www.scotsman.com
July 27, 2025 at 8:34 AM
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/
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…
contemporarylegend.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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/
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...
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
science.gc.ca
July 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
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...
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
#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 :)
June 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
#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 :)
'Greetings, carbon based bipeds!' - Scientists find 'strongest evidence yet' of life on distant planet #SETI
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.com
April 17, 2025 at 8:07 AM
'Greetings, carbon based bipeds!' - Scientists find 'strongest evidence yet' of life on distant planet #SETI
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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
April 12, 2025 at 12:53 PM
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
'Spaghetti growing on trees' - are we too wary of the #AprilFools prank? #folklore #NFS:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.com
April 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
'Spaghetti growing on trees' - are we too wary of the #AprilFools prank? #folklore #NFS:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The mythical creature from Harry Potter that has northern roots #NFS #folklorethursday
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The mythical creature from Harry Potter that has northern roots
The grindylow is one of the creatures chosen to be featured on a new set of Royal Mail stamps.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The mythical creature from Harry Potter that has northern roots #NFS #folklorethursday
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
Exciting news: I’m thrilled to share a project I’ve loved working on – Royal Mail’s brand-new Myths and Legends Special Stamps, released this week!
Keep an eye out for the stamps – let me know which legendary figure is your favourite!
#FolkloreThursday
www.culturalfuturesfoundry.com/royal-mail-m...
Keep an eye out for the stamps – let me know which legendary figure is your favourite!
#FolkloreThursday
www.culturalfuturesfoundry.com/royal-mail-m...
March 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Exciting news: I’m thrilled to share a project I’ve loved working on – Royal Mail’s brand-new Myths and Legends Special Stamps, released this week!
Keep an eye out for the stamps – let me know which legendary figure is your favourite!
#FolkloreThursday
www.culturalfuturesfoundry.com/royal-mail-m...
Keep an eye out for the stamps – let me know which legendary figure is your favourite!
#FolkloreThursday
www.culturalfuturesfoundry.com/royal-mail-m...
For the love of #folklore: Positive News covers the launch if the #NFS for England:
www.positive.news/society/for-...
www.positive.news/society/for-...
For the love of: Folklore
Ahead of a new National Folklore Study, David Clarke explains that myths and legends help meet our need for enchantment
www.positive.news
March 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
For the love of #folklore: Positive News covers the launch if the #NFS for England:
www.positive.news/society/for-...
www.positive.news/society/for-...
Royal Mail unveils folklore and mythology themed stamps #NFS: BBC News - Royal Mail launches mythical creatures stamp collection
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Royal Mail launches mythical creatures stamp collection
Myths and fables from across the UK are illustrated in the set of stamps.
www.bbc.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Royal Mail unveils folklore and mythology themed stamps #NFS: BBC News - Royal Mail launches mythical creatures stamp collection
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
The 42nd Perspectives on Contemporary Legend conference hosted by The Institute for Language and Folklore, The Mid Sweden University and Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency is currently accepting abstracts for papers!
Abstracts are due March 17th! Learn more here: bit.ly/3EQd9c4
Abstracts are due March 17th! Learn more here: bit.ly/3EQd9c4
March 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The 42nd Perspectives on Contemporary Legend conference hosted by The Institute for Language and Folklore, The Mid Sweden University and Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency is currently accepting abstracts for papers!
Abstracts are due March 17th! Learn more here: bit.ly/3EQd9c4
Abstracts are due March 17th! Learn more here: bit.ly/3EQd9c4
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
A discussion point that nobody expected to come out of tailoring the @nfsengland.bsky.social questions…
To what extent are cryptids and supernatural creatures in the landscape a smokescreen for dogging opportunities?
There’s a research paper in this for someone…
#nfs #nfsengland
To what extent are cryptids and supernatural creatures in the landscape a smokescreen for dogging opportunities?
There’s a research paper in this for someone…
#nfs #nfsengland
March 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A discussion point that nobody expected to come out of tailoring the @nfsengland.bsky.social questions…
To what extent are cryptids and supernatural creatures in the landscape a smokescreen for dogging opportunities?
There’s a research paper in this for someone…
#nfs #nfsengland
To what extent are cryptids and supernatural creatures in the landscape a smokescreen for dogging opportunities?
There’s a research paper in this for someone…
#nfs #nfsengland
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
The @nfsengland.bsky.social will poll 1,750 people through panels across various demographics
#nfs #nfsengland
#nfs #nfsengland
March 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The @nfsengland.bsky.social will poll 1,750 people through panels across various demographics
#nfs #nfsengland
#nfs #nfsengland
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
The @nfsengland.bsky.social will focus on surveying:
Custom and Belief
Traditional Narrative (folktales, legends and personal experiences)
The survey will be carries out by IPSOS MORI.
#nfs #nfsengland
Custom and Belief
Traditional Narrative (folktales, legends and personal experiences)
The survey will be carries out by IPSOS MORI.
#nfs #nfsengland
March 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The @nfsengland.bsky.social will focus on surveying:
Custom and Belief
Traditional Narrative (folktales, legends and personal experiences)
The survey will be carries out by IPSOS MORI.
#nfs #nfsengland
Custom and Belief
Traditional Narrative (folktales, legends and personal experiences)
The survey will be carries out by IPSOS MORI.
#nfs #nfsengland
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
The @nfsengland.bsky.social builds on previous work, but more especially the Survey of English Folklore: 1955-1964 which was undertaken by University College London and is now held in the National Archive
#nfs #nfsengland
#nfs #nfsengland
March 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The @nfsengland.bsky.social builds on previous work, but more especially the Survey of English Folklore: 1955-1964 which was undertaken by University College London and is now held in the National Archive
#nfs #nfsengland
#nfs #nfsengland
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
The @nfsengland.bsky.social is funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Why England only? Because it builds on a previous study and so the first stage has to have the same focus.
It is hoped to survey the rest of the UK in later projects too
#nfs #nfsengland
Why England only? Because it builds on a previous study and so the first stage has to have the same focus.
It is hoped to survey the rest of the UK in later projects too
#nfs #nfsengland
March 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The @nfsengland.bsky.social is funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Why England only? Because it builds on a previous study and so the first stage has to have the same focus.
It is hoped to survey the rest of the UK in later projects too
#nfs #nfsengland
Why England only? Because it builds on a previous study and so the first stage has to have the same focus.
It is hoped to survey the rest of the UK in later projects too
#nfs #nfsengland
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
Can't believe I get to work with all these people - who's who of many UK folklorists yesterday (+ others who had to leave before this photo, taken by Andrew Robinson) @davidwclarke.bsky.social @nfsengland.bsky.social @folkloresociety.bsky.social @folklorepod.bsky.social @chrisbader.bsky.social etc!
March 11, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Can't believe I get to work with all these people - who's who of many UK folklorists yesterday (+ others who had to leave before this photo, taken by Andrew Robinson) @davidwclarke.bsky.social @nfsengland.bsky.social @folkloresociety.bsky.social @folklorepod.bsky.social @chrisbader.bsky.social etc!
Reposted by Dr David Clarke
Panorama of Sheffield from the conference room for @nfsengland.bsky.social today
March 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Panorama of Sheffield from the conference room for @nfsengland.bsky.social today