Witch Krafting with Kat

The No No tree at Abington Park Northampton. Saw this online it really made me chuckle! 😄 Called the No No tree as it looks like it's waving it's hand in a disapproving tutting motion! It's behind the cafe if any of you care to spot it! There have always been folk stories about trees and I can imagine a few hundred years ago this tree would have become the perfect object for a folk tale. Maybe stories would have said the tree was possessed by fairy folk, or it was the entrance to a path that lead to a Witches house and the hand was a warning to children to keep away! Or maybe that the tree was possessed by the dead! Many trees where sadly used as public gallows and were sometimes known as dule or dool trees.  Come follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow me. Whither shall I follow follow follow, Whither shall I follow follow thee. To the Gallows To the Gallows To the Gallows, Gallows Tree. Interesting Medieval song found on Wikipedia about a Gallow tree.  Tut Tut tre...

 In 1834 Thomas Haynes Bayley(1797-1839) wrote 'The Mistletoe Bough' a folk ballad which soon became  drawing room favourite in Victorian times. It tells of a wedding festivities taking place on Christmas Eve with guest playing hide and speek. The bride is the first to hide and finds an oak chest to hide in. When she climbs in the lid snaps shut and she is unable to get out and her body is sadly not found for several years! Information from a book I own called  From Folklore of Northamptonshire by Peter Hill. I highly recommend buying or hiring out a copy from your local library. 

  Found this really interesting article online about the English Werewolf known as Old Stinker also know as The Beast of Barmston Drain.  Article by Sam George ,  University of Hertfordshire October 30, 2016  Please visit this link 🔗    https://www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/why-we-should-welcome-the-return-of-old-stinker-the-english-werewolf Update I found another fab article by Maggie Clendenin update 23rd September 2021. Please visit this link 🔗 https://www.ranker.com/list/old-stinker-werewolf-legend

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (MWM) is now closed until April 2022 but good news is their online shop will be open for festive gift buying. Please visit their website for details and also for interesting articles.  https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/news/