From boggarts to fairytales and UFOs – our area has got the lot
JOHN Billingsley spoke to Todmorden Antiquarian Society last week on "Place Legends of Calderdale".
Since moving to this area some 30 years ago, John has collected folklore tales to tell to others and has written books on the subject. He admits to hearing many a tale in pubs!.
Our fascinating landscape features lend themselves to weird stories of fairyland. John said that folk tales thrive in communities with individual identities.
Thence the repeated folklore in Todmorden will differ from those in Hebden Bridge, and even more so from those over the hills in Haworth and Keighley. Migration also affects the transmission of tales.
John began his repertoire of legends about boggarts. "Horses can see what humans cannot" – this gave rise to many rumours especially up along the high moorland routes in yesteryear. Boggart stories abound where danger lies.
John described these small elusive creatures as only a metre tall, clad in brown.
The only one ever witnessed was in Cromwell Bottom. There are several large boulders known as Boggart Stones as at Ellen Royd in Luddenden.
Next John told the stories surrounding the decapitated head on the Halifax coat of arms.
Some legends believe that it is an image of St John the Baptist, after whom Halifax Parish Church is named. The gruesome Halifax Gibbet dealt harshly with beheading criminals, but has not been used since the 17th century!
At Sparrow Park in Halifax stands a fine statue of Prince Albert on his horse Nimrod, sculptured by Thomas Thornycroft.
This was unveiled in 1864 at a grand Victorian style ceremony. Many folk thought that the legs of the horse were the wrong shape. Rumours spread that Thomas Thornycroft was so upset that he committed suicide.
However John explained that the horse legs are perfectly correct for the horse gait known as "ambling".
Moreover, Thomas Thornycroft lived for more than 21 years after his sculpture of Prince Albert. So much for the spreading of false folk tales.
Moving along the Calder Valley, John told many anecdotes. From Midgley Moor he showed photographs of Churn Milk Joan, the Miller's Grave and Robin Hood's Pennystone which have all invited many folk legends through the years.
Many walkers know the story of Churn Milk Joan. Besides being an incredibly visible grit stone stoop, there will always be loose coinage on top.
But beware, if you don't add to the amount, bad luck will shadow you for your dishonesty, said John. Ted Hughes wrote a poem on the theme of Churn Milk Joan.
John researched the "Pennystone" to discover that it was a game like quoits in the 16th century, later banned because it was considered illegal gambling.
But it is also possible that the large boulder was a former boundary stone where the weathered holes on top were filled with vinegar to prevent the plague spreading.
There are multiple tales of Robin Hood! In our area there is a Robin Hood pub at Pecket Well, and another along the Cragg Vale Road which has a rhyme on its pub sign.
Towering above are the rocky outcrops known also as the Robin Hood Rocks. Back in Skircoat below The Esplanade is a Robin Hood’s cave.
Nearing Todmorden, John told of the alleged wager betwixt God and the Devil from Stoodley Pike to Great Rock. Many locals know that the Devil’s Hoof mark can be seen on top of Great Rock! UFO sightings and fairytales are rife around Todmorden too.
John ended the evening telling that his latest book on the Mixenden Treasure is available. His other books on legends can be found in local libraries, Tourist Information Centres and book shops.
He hopes to keep these oral traditions alive in the valley through his talks, guided walks and books.
l The next meeting of Todmorden Antiquarian Society will be on Tuesday, March 23, at 7.30 pm in Todmorden Town Hall Court Room.
The society welcomes Margaret Curry for a return visit when she will present “A Tale of Two Cities” about Manchester and Salford. Visitors are welcome.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
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