Welcome
I am a folklore researcher, author and broadcaster. I began my career as a journalist at the Sheffield Star and spent four years working as a Press Officer. But my passion was always for folklore and in 1999 I completed a PhD in Folklore at the National Centre for English Cultural Tradition, University of Sheffield. I moved to Sheffield Hallam University in 2005 where for two decades I taught journalism and media law before I was promoted to Associate Professor. Working with colleagues who shared my interest in folklore, I co-founded the Centre for Contemporary Legend research group at SHU in 2018. I was Project Lead the AHRC-funded National Folklore Survey for England until I left the university in 2026 to return to full-time writing and broadcasting. My books include The Angel of Mons, How UFOs Conquered the World and Space Age Folklore that will be published by Reaktion in 2027. Contact me by email at furnival.news at googlemail.com
Tag Archives: Scotland
35 Years of Mystery
What is the truth about the Calvine sighting that has been proclaimed as ‘the world’s best UFO photograph’? To mark the 35th anniversary of the unexplained sighting at Calvine, near Pitlochry in Perth & Kinross, a public talk will explore the … Continue reading
CALVINE UFO REVISITED
The latest revelations about the ‘Pitlochry Thing’ The mysterious Calvine UFO photographs are making headlines again – with the latest on my investigations published by the Daily Mail. My new story opens with the narrative of former chef Richard Grieve … Continue reading
The Scottish Roswell?
Picture the scene: A shepherd visiting a remote area stumbles upon strange wreckage strewn across the ground which could be the remains of a crashed spaceship. The debris consists of pieces of unusual metal and strange drawings. On reporting his find … Continue reading