Local Folklore
29th October, 2007
As a warm-up to Halloween, folklore historian, Peter Watson, gave us an entertaining talk on the folklore of Lancashire and Yorkshire, covering everything from witches to werewolves.
Peter demonstrated a replica of a 17th century witches bottle, which he had made, and suggested that it might still be useful, given the number of active covens supposed to be in the Pendle area.
He talked about the "abracadabra" charm, and passed some of these around, challenging us to use them (or not). He described some 19th century love charms, some of which might have frightened off the intended lover for good.
On the subject of folk medicine, Peter described a "cure for over-virility" and a recipe for cuckoo soup (first, catch your cuckoo ...) We also learnt a useful remedy for elf-sickness, read by Peter in the original Anglo-Saxon.
He then went on to recount some local ghost stories, including the White Lady of Samlesbury, and the Boggart of Bashall Eaves.