Dr Delyth Badder
@folklorewales.com
Welsh folklorist • Author • Honorary Research Fellow, Amgueddfa Cymru • Antiquarian book collector • Rheibio'n Gymraeg • The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts (2023) • Represented by jonathanclowes.co.uk
folklorewales.com
folklorewales.com
Apparently my dulcet tones could be heard across all Global radio stations throughout yesterday discussing various Nos Galan Gaeaf traditions.
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Apparently my dulcet tones could be heard across all Global radio stations throughout yesterday discussing various Nos Galan Gaeaf traditions.
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
A spooky Nos Galan Gaeaf to you all 🎃
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
October 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A spooky Nos Galan Gaeaf to you all 🎃
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
It just so happens that two further pieces of Price memorabilia have also arrived:
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
It just so happens that two further pieces of Price memorabilia have also arrived:
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Can’t quite believe it’s done but it’s done.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Can’t quite believe it’s done but it’s done.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Quick stop over in Cardiff to talk The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts with the lovely staff at the National Museum this week.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
October 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Quick stop over in Cardiff to talk The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts with the lovely staff at the National Museum this week.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
With advice from a zookeeping friend and the help of family and Airborne Warriors, Talsarnau, Cowlyd was successfully released during the last stretch of balmy weather at the tail end of September.
Yes, that’s me almost being knocked sideways by the sheer force of him bursting out of his cage.
Yes, that’s me almost being knocked sideways by the sheer force of him bursting out of his cage.
October 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
With advice from a zookeeping friend and the help of family and Airborne Warriors, Talsarnau, Cowlyd was successfully released during the last stretch of balmy weather at the tail end of September.
Yes, that’s me almost being knocked sideways by the sheer force of him bursting out of his cage.
Yes, that’s me almost being knocked sideways by the sheer force of him bursting out of his cage.
By week 2 he was using his claw to weakly grip his perch and was allowing me hand-feed him freely. By week 3, he was able to rip food by himself, and other than changing his pecked bandages and a daily dose of beak scratches, I barely needed to handle him anymore.
We knew then he was ready.
We knew then he was ready.
October 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
By week 2 he was using his claw to weakly grip his perch and was allowing me hand-feed him freely. By week 3, he was able to rip food by himself, and other than changing his pecked bandages and a daily dose of beak scratches, I barely needed to handle him anymore.
We knew then he was ready.
We knew then he was ready.
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
October 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
Finally able to contribute to #OwlishMonday with a real, legitimate owl.
This is Cowlyd, our little rescue tawny, who’s boarding with us while his broken leg heals.
Named after the ancient and wise owl of Welsh lore, turns out he’s a bit more Gwilym.
(highly niche Welsh joke there, sorry) 🦉
This is Cowlyd, our little rescue tawny, who’s boarding with us while his broken leg heals.
Named after the ancient and wise owl of Welsh lore, turns out he’s a bit more Gwilym.
(highly niche Welsh joke there, sorry) 🦉
September 8, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Finally able to contribute to #OwlishMonday with a real, legitimate owl.
This is Cowlyd, our little rescue tawny, who’s boarding with us while his broken leg heals.
Named after the ancient and wise owl of Welsh lore, turns out he’s a bit more Gwilym.
(highly niche Welsh joke there, sorry) 🦉
This is Cowlyd, our little rescue tawny, who’s boarding with us while his broken leg heals.
Named after the ancient and wise owl of Welsh lore, turns out he’s a bit more Gwilym.
(highly niche Welsh joke there, sorry) 🦉
Catching up with some of the newest additions to the library…
My favourite recent purchase is this vanishingly rare essay from the 1851 Newport eisteddfod by Merthyr Tudful preacher, the Rev David Rhys Stephen, concerning one of Wales’s most infamous hauntings - the tale of Pwca’r Trwyn 👻
My favourite recent purchase is this vanishingly rare essay from the 1851 Newport eisteddfod by Merthyr Tudful preacher, the Rev David Rhys Stephen, concerning one of Wales’s most infamous hauntings - the tale of Pwca’r Trwyn 👻
September 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Catching up with some of the newest additions to the library…
My favourite recent purchase is this vanishingly rare essay from the 1851 Newport eisteddfod by Merthyr Tudful preacher, the Rev David Rhys Stephen, concerning one of Wales’s most infamous hauntings - the tale of Pwca’r Trwyn 👻
My favourite recent purchase is this vanishingly rare essay from the 1851 Newport eisteddfod by Merthyr Tudful preacher, the Rev David Rhys Stephen, concerning one of Wales’s most infamous hauntings - the tale of Pwca’r Trwyn 👻
Foster an owl while writing a book and caring for a child, they said. It’ll be fine, they said.
Feeling a little like poor Cowlyd having just submitted the manuscript for my newest book this evening. Looking forward to seeing both in the wild over the coming months 🦉
Feeling a little like poor Cowlyd having just submitted the manuscript for my newest book this evening. Looking forward to seeing both in the wild over the coming months 🦉
September 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Foster an owl while writing a book and caring for a child, they said. It’ll be fine, they said.
Feeling a little like poor Cowlyd having just submitted the manuscript for my newest book this evening. Looking forward to seeing both in the wild over the coming months 🦉
Feeling a little like poor Cowlyd having just submitted the manuscript for my newest book this evening. Looking forward to seeing both in the wild over the coming months 🦉
Slowly dragging myself out of the mat leave bubble so here are some folky updates:
Folklore Wales HQ has relocated to Pwllheli. Book 2 and a couple of bits and pieces are in progress; book 3 is on the horizon.
And all this with Eryri as my backdrop. There’s few better places to begin new chapters.
Folklore Wales HQ has relocated to Pwllheli. Book 2 and a couple of bits and pieces are in progress; book 3 is on the horizon.
And all this with Eryri as my backdrop. There’s few better places to begin new chapters.
July 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Slowly dragging myself out of the mat leave bubble so here are some folky updates:
Folklore Wales HQ has relocated to Pwllheli. Book 2 and a couple of bits and pieces are in progress; book 3 is on the horizon.
And all this with Eryri as my backdrop. There’s few better places to begin new chapters.
Folklore Wales HQ has relocated to Pwllheli. Book 2 and a couple of bits and pieces are in progress; book 3 is on the horizon.
And all this with Eryri as my backdrop. There’s few better places to begin new chapters.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, bawb!
💫
Happy New Year, all!
💫
Happy New Year, all!
December 31, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, bawb!
💫
Happy New Year, all!
💫
Happy New Year, all!
Another day of delving into Welsh weirdness (albeit some days are arguably weirder than the rest).
Researching for a very exciting project - will share details soon… 👀
Researching for a very exciting project - will share details soon… 👀
November 16, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Another day of delving into Welsh weirdness (albeit some days are arguably weirder than the rest).
Researching for a very exciting project - will share details soon… 👀
Researching for a very exciting project - will share details soon… 👀
Just received my author’s copy of Lowri Haf Cooke’s wonderful new book ‘Amser Nadolig’ (Christmas Time) which includes my chapter on the magic of the season, from my own childhood memories to weird Welsh Yuletide traditions such as the dark origins of Sion Corn, squirrel hunting, and the Mari Lwyd.
November 15, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Just received my author’s copy of Lowri Haf Cooke’s wonderful new book ‘Amser Nadolig’ (Christmas Time) which includes my chapter on the magic of the season, from my own childhood memories to weird Welsh Yuletide traditions such as the dark origins of Sion Corn, squirrel hunting, and the Mari Lwyd.
Braint ac anrhydedd yw cael cyhoeddi pennod yn llyfr hyfryd Nadolig @lowrihafcooke.bsky.social. Ynddo dwi’n trafod hud a lledrith yr ŵyl - o atgofion a thraddodiadau melys plentyndod i rai o ddefodau hudolus y Cymry megis y Fari Lwyd, y plygain a hela’r dryw.
Mynnwch gopi gan Santa, da chi 🎄
Mynnwch gopi gan Santa, da chi 🎄
November 15, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Braint ac anrhydedd yw cael cyhoeddi pennod yn llyfr hyfryd Nadolig @lowrihafcooke.bsky.social. Ynddo dwi’n trafod hud a lledrith yr ŵyl - o atgofion a thraddodiadau melys plentyndod i rai o ddefodau hudolus y Cymry megis y Fari Lwyd, y plygain a hela’r dryw.
Mynnwch gopi gan Santa, da chi 🎄
Mynnwch gopi gan Santa, da chi 🎄
Hit 1000 followers so here’s my favourite Welsh ghost 👻
Grim ghouls with unfinished business that wail into the gloom:
“Long the day and long the night,
And long the wait for [name].”
The spookiest version is recorded in 1882, where a Ceredigion farm is plagued by a spirit that waits for Arawn.
Grim ghouls with unfinished business that wail into the gloom:
“Long the day and long the night,
And long the wait for [name].”
The spookiest version is recorded in 1882, where a Ceredigion farm is plagued by a spirit that waits for Arawn.
November 14, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Hit 1000 followers so here’s my favourite Welsh ghost 👻
Grim ghouls with unfinished business that wail into the gloom:
“Long the day and long the night,
And long the wait for [name].”
The spookiest version is recorded in 1882, where a Ceredigion farm is plagued by a spirit that waits for Arawn.
Grim ghouls with unfinished business that wail into the gloom:
“Long the day and long the night,
And long the wait for [name].”
The spookiest version is recorded in 1882, where a Ceredigion farm is plagued by a spirit that waits for Arawn.
Settling in for day one of the Folklore Without Borders symposium this morning with a baby who’s just discovered how to babble and grab, and where its mouth is. Nothing can possibly go wrong.
November 14, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Settling in for day one of the Folklore Without Borders symposium this morning with a baby who’s just discovered how to babble and grab, and where its mouth is. Nothing can possibly go wrong.
Time for a re-introduction…
I'm a folklorist, author and research fellow with a particular interest in Welsh ghost-lore. Side hustle as a paediatric pathologist and ME. Antiquarian book collector and marginalia fiend. Dr William Price enthusiast. Druid.
Cymraeg iaith gyntaf; expect a bit of both.
I'm a folklorist, author and research fellow with a particular interest in Welsh ghost-lore. Side hustle as a paediatric pathologist and ME. Antiquarian book collector and marginalia fiend. Dr William Price enthusiast. Druid.
Cymraeg iaith gyntaf; expect a bit of both.
November 10, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Time for a re-introduction…
I'm a folklorist, author and research fellow with a particular interest in Welsh ghost-lore. Side hustle as a paediatric pathologist and ME. Antiquarian book collector and marginalia fiend. Dr William Price enthusiast. Druid.
Cymraeg iaith gyntaf; expect a bit of both.
I'm a folklorist, author and research fellow with a particular interest in Welsh ghost-lore. Side hustle as a paediatric pathologist and ME. Antiquarian book collector and marginalia fiend. Dr William Price enthusiast. Druid.
Cymraeg iaith gyntaf; expect a bit of both.
Thrilled and somewhat bewildered to hear that The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts has been shortlisted for ‘Best Non-Fiction’ at the @britfantasysoc.bsky.social Awards!
To all the wonderful people who voted, Bwci Melyn Bach, Hen Wrach Cors Fochno and both Llanwynno’s ghost donkeys salute you! 👻
To all the wonderful people who voted, Bwci Melyn Bach, Hen Wrach Cors Fochno and both Llanwynno’s ghost donkeys salute you! 👻
August 15, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Thrilled and somewhat bewildered to hear that The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts has been shortlisted for ‘Best Non-Fiction’ at the @britfantasysoc.bsky.social Awards!
To all the wonderful people who voted, Bwci Melyn Bach, Hen Wrach Cors Fochno and both Llanwynno’s ghost donkeys salute you! 👻
To all the wonderful people who voted, Bwci Melyn Bach, Hen Wrach Cors Fochno and both Llanwynno’s ghost donkeys salute you! 👻
Spent the week in a remote cottage decrypting Dr William Price’s 1871 Druidic manifesto Gwyllllis yn Nayd (The Will of My Father) from an impenetrable form of Gwenhwyseg into standard Welsh.
Price swore those who translated it would be cursed. So there’s that to look forward to.
Price swore those who translated it would be cursed. So there’s that to look forward to.
May 24, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Spent the week in a remote cottage decrypting Dr William Price’s 1871 Druidic manifesto Gwyllllis yn Nayd (The Will of My Father) from an impenetrable form of Gwenhwyseg into standard Welsh.
Price swore those who translated it would be cursed. So there’s that to look forward to.
Price swore those who translated it would be cursed. So there’s that to look forward to.
📣 HENO am 7:30yh 📣
Fydda i’n trafod gwrachyddiaeth, consurwyr, swynion, rheibio, a’r broblem efo’r wrach yng Nghymru efo fy hoff widdon Sara Huws a’r swynol Sian Melangell Dafydd fel rhan o gyfres ‘Coel Gwrach’ 💫
tinyurl.com/4svuvjwy
Fydda i’n trafod gwrachyddiaeth, consurwyr, swynion, rheibio, a’r broblem efo’r wrach yng Nghymru efo fy hoff widdon Sara Huws a’r swynol Sian Melangell Dafydd fel rhan o gyfres ‘Coel Gwrach’ 💫
tinyurl.com/4svuvjwy
May 13, 2024 at 11:11 AM
📣 HENO am 7:30yh 📣
Fydda i’n trafod gwrachyddiaeth, consurwyr, swynion, rheibio, a’r broblem efo’r wrach yng Nghymru efo fy hoff widdon Sara Huws a’r swynol Sian Melangell Dafydd fel rhan o gyfres ‘Coel Gwrach’ 💫
tinyurl.com/4svuvjwy
Fydda i’n trafod gwrachyddiaeth, consurwyr, swynion, rheibio, a’r broblem efo’r wrach yng Nghymru efo fy hoff widdon Sara Huws a’r swynol Sian Melangell Dafydd fel rhan o gyfres ‘Coel Gwrach’ 💫
tinyurl.com/4svuvjwy
Braint oedd medru rhannu rhyw fymryn o hanes y Maen Chwŷf efo Rhys Mwyn ar gyfer ei gyfrol newydd wych, a chael rhoi’r byd yn ei le am r’hen Myfyr Morganwg, sy’n haeddu tipyn mwy o gydnabyddiaeth am ei rôl hollbwysig yng nghronicl derwyddol Pontypridd.
April 28, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Braint oedd medru rhannu rhyw fymryn o hanes y Maen Chwŷf efo Rhys Mwyn ar gyfer ei gyfrol newydd wych, a chael rhoi’r byd yn ei le am r’hen Myfyr Morganwg, sy’n haeddu tipyn mwy o gydnabyddiaeth am ei rôl hollbwysig yng nghronicl derwyddol Pontypridd.
My favourite tales include the exorcism of Glebe House by conjuror John Williams who bound the troublesome spirit to making ropes of sand on Llanmadog burrows, and the phantom white horse of Oxwich, seen casually walking on its hind legs towards the church by Davies’s brother 👻
April 14, 2024 at 10:47 AM
My favourite tales include the exorcism of Glebe House by conjuror John Williams who bound the troublesome spirit to making ropes of sand on Llanmadog burrows, and the phantom white horse of Oxwich, seen casually walking on its hind legs towards the church by Davies’s brother 👻