From ghost stories to the history of fireworks, meet the online storytellers

No matter where you stand on the change of the seasons, with darker nights looming and colder (mostly wetter) weather almost guaranteed, there’s nothing like partaking in rituals and activities that enhance the season you’re stepping into.

For autumn and the countdown to Halloween it’s all about cosy jumpers, nature walks to see the leaves change, and wading cautiously into a spooky tale or two. It’s also about bundling up and seeing the sky lit up in sparkling colour, before we finally give ourselves permission to fully immerse ourselves into the Christmas countdown.

Boundless is here to help get you in the spirit of the final months of 2025 with some excellent online member events exclusive to Boundless members. No need to face the elements and travel, log on and choose from our trio of seasonal online events (or watch all of them!), from ghost stories to the history of fireworks to Christmas food traditions.

Ahead of the events, get to know the storytellers and a taste of what their events will entail, interviewed by Helen Renshaw as a part of Boundless Magazine for Autumn 2025.

1,000 downloads to BBC Sounds – the story behind Weird in the Wade

Credit: Joby Sessions

Before she was a podcast extraordinaire, Nat Doig initially taught English and Drama after completing her degree. Having been born with cataracts that left her visually impaired, Nat was faced with disability discrimination and ultimately chose to move away from teaching, galvanised for her next career path.

For 25 years Nat went on to help support those, like her, with disabilities, fighting for their rights and access by advising businesses, organisations, and government departments.

A woman of many lives, what led to her podcast Weird in the Wade’s?

Nat admitted she has always been fascinated by all things weird since before she can remember. “Being born with cataracts [...] reading was incredibly tiring, so I loved being read to as a child – and my parents often chose spooky tales.”

She continued, “There’s a strong interest in the otherworldly in my family. Dad’s mum worked for a spiritualist [...] and Mum’s side of the family also loved weird things.”Then a chance encounter with Danny Robins (the man behind the Uncanny podcast) finally propelled her to begin sharing tales from her beloved home.

Danny asked if anyone in the audience came from somewhere unusual and I shouted, ‘Biggleswade! And we’ve got a haunted Poundstretcher!’ It got quite a laugh, so he gave me the mic to tell the story.

The rest, as they say, is history, leading Nat to look into other local ghost stories and launching her own podcast. "I thought maybe six people would listen, including my mum. But after the first episode, I had over a thousand listens. Then my best friend encouraged me to enter the National Podcast Awards, and I was astonished to win. Now, Weird in the Wade is hosted on BBC Sounds, and more than half a million people have listened in.

A perfect precursor for Halloween, join Nat Doig on 21st October at 7pm for Boundless’ Weird in the Wade, Spooky Tales of Biggleswade online event.

The award-winning John Withington gives a history lesson on fireworks

Credit: Dave Caudery

John Withington wouldn’t blame you for overlooking fireworks as an interesting subject matter beyond the boom and flare as they light up the sky come Bonfire Night. However, the award-winning TV producer, director, reporter, and author found a rich and interesting history of the firework that invites a second look.

“Across the centuries, fireworks have inspired awe, magnified the prestige of monarchs and provided material for artists from William Shakespeare to Katy Perry. It’s a history full of surprises. Who knew that fireworks may have come about as a byproduct in the search for eternal life? Or that there have been several attempts to use them to deliver mail?”

Having worked in radio and TV for 35 years, John has always had an interest in history and studied it at university. He then went on to write multiple history books, his latest, The History of Fireworks from their Origins to the Present Day.

“I witnessed the spectacular Fires of Tarello, a traditional display of fireworks that celebrates how villagers repelled an invasion in the 12th century,” he explained of the trip to Ravello, Italy that inspired his latest book and newfound fascination with fireworks. “It got me thinking about how fireworks are linked to many historic events.”

Discovering a story “brimming with mystery, power, and danger” John’s online event will “explore how ancient Chinese alchemists looking for an immortality potion may have stumbled on gunpowder, the spectacular royal displays of the Tudor period and on to the court of Louis XIV.”

Bringing it right up to the present, from Shakespeare to Katy Perry, Turner and Whistler, John will also delve into the less palatable associations we have with fireworks, from hooliganism to protests, accidents, and the negative impacts on animals.

Taking place on 11th November 7pm, make sure you book on to The History of the Firework.

Dr Annie Gray myth busts your Christmas traditions

Credit: Melissa Rodrigues / Jersey Heritage

Differing traditions, especially when it comes to Christmas, can make for a pretty fraught atmosphere. While nobody is right or wrong for how they navigate their Christmas dinner, Dr Annie Gray is here to have a friendly fight about your festive traditions and where they come from.

Broadcaster, author, and former historical reenactor, Dr Annie Gray’s passion for food began when she moved to France as a teenager with her family.“I realised that omelettes don’t have to be boring,” she said of the egg-based meal that really kicked off a special interest. That, combined with a love of history eventually found Dr Annie Gray where she is today.

“I’ve had a wonderfully varied career, working as a costumed interpreter at Hampton Court, running a team playing the characters of servants for English Heritage, appearing on TV and being a regular on The Kitchen Cabinet.”

Having penned ten books, Dr Annie Gray’s At Christmas We Feast – Festive Food Through the Ages will be the basis of her online event.

“We’ll touch on Christmas food in the Medieval, Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian eras. It will be playful, but there’s a serious side, too,” she explained. “There’s still a widespread assumption that women will do most of the work, and so many women have told me they hate the Christmas feast, because they feel pressured to meet everyone’s Christmas food expectations. My message is, no you don’t. There is no right way – whatever you want to eat at Christmas is fine.”

In fact, Dr Annie Gray has been known to eat pizza on Christmas Day. “As far as I’m concerned, the only things that are time-honoured Christmas musts for my family are lighting a fire and enjoying a few glasses of something.”

Tune into Dr Annie Gray’s A Yuletide Table: Where Christmas Traditions Took Root event on 16th December at 7pm.

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to The Ramblers' extensive walking community, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.