Low Culture Podcast: Children Of The Stones

In this month’s Low Culture podcast, Luke gets in his battered Austin Maxi and heads down to Wiltshire to pick up John before they head to Avebury henge and hope not to get caught in a time shift caused by a powerful ray from a distant black hole. Yes, this can mean only one thing – the cultural artefact up for chat is 1977 TV drama Children Of The Stones. Shot in the woozy heat of the summer of 1976, the six-part series concerns the arrival of a Professor Adam Brake and his son Matthew in the village of Milbury, where they settle down to investigate the history of the ancient stones that surround the rural community. It quickly transpires that the villagers seem split into two groups, with the power of the henge, and the presence of an astronomer turned landowner, seeming to have something to do with the strange goings on. A potent blend of science fiction, the occult, folk tradition, this is a fantastic work of what John calls “cosmic horror” that sits on a continuum with the writing of M.R. James. They discuss the cultural impact of the series on Stewart Lee, Boards Of Canada, folk horror and all sorts of wizards, along with Julian Cope’s critique before going on to make comparisons with Dr Who and True Detective, explore the ideas of “deep England” subverted by the programme, point out the amount of daytime drinking that goes on, find uncanny synchronicity with Derek Jarman’s 1971 Super8 film Journey To Avebury, and divine the profound questions asked in what essentially was created as a piece of kids TV. And finally, if you’re in the vicinity of Avebury or Buckfast Abbey and find yourself hankering after a carvery, John and Luke have you covered. Thanks to Alannah Chance for producing the podcast, and all our subscribers for funding our work. Subscriber and Subscriber Plus members can access the pod via their usual platforms or past the paywall below. If you want to listen and are not yet a subscriber, you can get your first month free here.