Festival Programme 18th - 21st December Festival Programme Index

Introduction: Welcome to the Festival of Folklore 1

2 Article: Witch Marks, a Folk Practice?

Performer Biographies: Talks & Live Events 5

Performer Biographies: Music 9

13 Article: Prayers Carved in Stone

Performer Biographies: Storytellers 15

21 Crafts With Creswell

23 Performance Time Table Welcome to Creswell Crags Witch Marks, a Folk Practice? Midwinter Festival of Folklore Taking inspiration from our Witch Marks discovery, the Festival of Folklore aims to explore themes around everyday beliefs, ritual, and superstition. Witch marks are commonly considered to be a Creswell Crags Midwinter Festival of little known folk practice, a type of Folklore began with an appeal in September protective practice that was part of a complex system of beliefs. The practice to some fabulous creative minds for help in could have stemmed from extreme putting together material for an online changes in the religious lives of everyday showcase. people during the Reformation, when the Roman Catholic church was gradually What started out as a simple Twitter interest dismantled and replaced by pole has blossomed into a creative Protestantism. partnership full of historians, storytellers, musicians and dream-weavers who together aim to bring some enchantment back into a During this period it is believed that the possessed by a devil or cursed. Protective world turned grey and dismal with the cares practice of creating Witch Marks emerged marks like the Witch Marks can be found on as a direct way of asking for divine of 2020. many buildings, including churches, barns protection from the threat of disease, evil and homes and are often gathered around spirits, witches and demons. There is little In the following pages are the details of a specific vulnerable or important points such evidence of the reasons for the practice in group of wonderfully generous individuals as doors, windows or fireplaces. This was to written sources from the time and we may and groups who have given their time to prevent spirits or witches’ familiars from never know the full story behind the entering the home, or to prevent harm being help out our charity:, and to you our intrepid creation of the Witch Marks at Creswell caused to people or livestock living or readers and watchers. Together over the Crags; however what we do know is that it working within. A Witches familiar was often next four days we will adventure into the was most likely an everyday act, carried believed to be an animal and not just cats out by lay-people as part of a community world of folklore, full of myths, morals and were cast in this role, animals such as toads, or grass roots belief system. Creswell legends. Perhaps for a little while we will be rats or even birds were considered to be just Crags is home to the largest collection of able to see a new landscape, full of magic as suspicious. Such animals could easily get witch marks discovered to date; the into a house, which was a recipe for a and wonder; forgotten perhaps but not yet largest number of these can be found in common and possibly frightening lost. Robin Hoods Cave. experience if you considered them to be Together let us take a moment to chase agents of the devil! away the darkness of Midwinter and Around the time when the Witch Marks encourage the light of the New Year into our are most likely to have been created, it However, just as people believed in the lives. was not unusual for sudden illness in power of such things as demons and witches humans or animals, failing harvests and to cause harm, they equally believed that The Creswell Team even sleep walking to be explained by there were powers available to them to some supernatural force such as being protect them from evil. For many the creswell-crags.org.uk

Creswell Crags @CreswellCrags 2 @creswellcrags @creswellcrags Witch Marks, a Folk Practice?

official religion and folk belief. Sometimes such practices were condemned by the church and linked to superstition or even witchcraft, others like the carving of protective marks seem to have been simply ignored. Over time it is possible that the meaning of the symbols changed, though there is some evidence that other protective practices continued well into the 19th century, many disappeared from use and faded from memory. Protective marks are peculiar in that their practice is not recorded in any written sources, if not for their survival on buildings and in caves we might never have known about them at all. ultimate power to perform miracles or to avert evil was firmly placed in the hands of Works Used the Christian faith. The Reformation Easton, T. (2018). "Scores on the Doors." SPAB changed the way people could interact (The Society for the Protection of Ancient with religion at an official level, it made Buildings)(Winter): 52-57. church services more accessible by changing the language used in services Hoggard, B. (2019). Magical house protection : the from Latin to English but at the same time archaeology of counter-witchcraft. New York ;, Berghahn. destroyed much of the imagery that church goers had grown used to. Owen Davies, e. and e. Willem de Blécourt (2004). Depictions and statues of saints were Beyond the witch trials : witchcraft and magic in often destroyed or sent abroad and Enlightenment Europe. Manchester, England, praying to specific saints was banned Manchester University Press. however, this did not immediately lead to Ralph, M. (1987). The archaeology of ritual and a change in everyday belief. People would magic. London, Batsford. still pray to specific saints to grant them safety, or protection; in particular prayers Ronald, H. (1995). "The English Reformation and the Evidence of Folklore." Past & present(148): 89- were often directed to the Virgin Mary. 116. The popularity of praying to the Virgin Mary for protection carries over into the Ronald, H. (2016). Physical evidence for ritual acts, witch marks discovery, as one of the most sorcery and witchcraft in Christian Britain : a common protection symbols (the feeling for magic. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan. intersecting VV) is considered to be a version of the Virgin's Monogram. Thomas, K. (1973). Religion and the decline of magic : studies in popular beliefs in sixteenth and seventeenth century England. London, Weidenfeld and Nicolson. Protective practices such as the inscribing of protective or witch marks emerged from this complicated intersection of

3 Performer Biographies: Talks & Live Events Performer Biographies: Talks & Live Events

Ghost Tales and Midwinter- Live Talk and Q&A Session Alluvial Plains: Live Talk with Q&A and Live Role-Playing With renowned Folklorist Icy Sedgwick Gaming Session With Dr. Barnaby Dicker Alluvial Plains is a role-play game set Perhaps more than Halloween, Midwinter is often a time during the stone-age on and around the traditionally associated with ghost stories. But why do we region now submerged under the English tell ghost stories at this time of year? Why do ghosts Channel and the North Sea, often referred to continue to preoccupy us? And are there ways to keep as Doggerland. Playing the game provides troublesome ghosts at bay at Midwinter? This illustrated an imaginative and speculative opportunity talk will explore these ideas as we seek to get closer to the to explore the life and times of the people spirits... who lived on these ancient landscapes. Co- author, Barnaby Dicker, will discuss the is the host of the Fabulous Folklore Icy Sedgwick ongoing development of the game and podcast. She writes weekly folklore articles on her suggest that tabletop role-play games in website; as well as dark fantasy and Gothic horror tales! general, as a form of collective storytelling, can be seen as an embodiment of www.icysedgwick.com/ contemporary folkloric practice. Barnaby will @miss.icy.sedgwick @IcySedgwick also run a game of Alluvial Plains with a special winter scenario set around Creswell "Folklore is artistic communication @icysedgwick Fabulous Folklore Podcast Crags some 13,000 years ago. in small groups" - Photo by David Dibert on Unsplash Dan Ben-Amos

Midwinter Folklore and Legendary Creatures of Malta Dr Barnaby Dicker is a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College, London. He is interested in graphic With Simon Cutajar technologies and arts, including cinematography and photography, with particular emphasis on Avant-guard practices. This has led to work on topics such as Simon Cutajar brings to life the midwinter animation, proto-cinematography, experimental film, folklore,customs and traditions of Malta in this graphic reproduction technologies, comic strips, short informative talk on the tales and pastimes of paleoart and the historiography of aesthetic theories and his homeland. practices of abstraction. He is also a tabletop game enthusiast, about which he has a podcast, Loco Ludus. Simon Cutajar is a games programmer from This year, he has been developing a stone-age setting for Malta and currently based in Sweden. He is a PhD his own role-play game system in collaboration with graduate in computing, and has recently taken an Spencer Game and David Surman. This talk unites his interest in Maltese folklore and history. academic and gaming interests in paleoart and folklore.

www.simon.com.mt @scutajar Loco Ludus• A podcast on Anchor

@loco.ludus

6 5 Performer Biographies: Talks & Live Events Performer Biographies: Talks & Live Events Short Documentary- Everyday Beliefs Creswell Crags Witch Marks- Live Talk and Q&A Session With Callum Roome Join Heritage Interpreter John Charlesworth for a fun informative talk about the Witch Mark discovery at In this short documentary, we will explore humanities past Creswell Crags. Followed by a short Q and A session, what folklore beliefs and methods of how to ward off evil entities. do you want to know about our mysterious Witch Marks From the mysterious Witch Marks at Creswell Crags; to the ordinary plants and herbs that we find in our local John Charlesworthhas a passion for history and heritage supermarket. From these routine practices, we will delve which led him to take a degree in Ancient History and into the everyday beliefs, rituals, and superstitions of people Archaeology and then a postgraduate degree in Heritage today, and see how the bizarre philosophies of centuries Studies at Nottingham Trent University. His path past have evolved and transformed in this age of rationality. eventually led him to Creswell Crags in 2001. He has Callum Roome, is a student at Nottingham Trent University worked in various positions at Creswell, “mostly upright, studying Media Production. He decided to take part in but that is not always possible in some of the smaller Creswell Crags Winter Festival as he believed it was an caves!” After a short gap he returned to Creswell in 2012 excellent fundraising opportunity; that promotes creativity and now divides his time between being a Weekend Tour and passion for the local area leading in the new and cryptic Guide for the Crags and pursuing freelance work as a study of Witch Marks. Heritage Interpretation writer.

Archaeo-Chat: Creswell Crags Witch Marks & The HellMouth!? Midwinter Spirits- A Multi-Media Gaming Experience With Archaeosoup and John Charlesworth By Ash G. Green Archaeo-soup chat with John Charlesworth, Heritage Interpreter at Creswell Crags Museum and Visitor Centre Ash Green will be providing blog content and access about the Witch Mark discovery in the famous prehistoric to storytelling game midwinter spirits during the caves of Creswell Crags. Join us for this informative and festival athttps://ashg.itch.io/midwinter-spirits. enlightening conversation, and learn more about this Ash G. Green is a Surrey based creator, with a focus fascinating find in this fun conversational piece. on making digital interactive stories and small Archaeosoup are the creators and hosts of a popular games; writing music; and creative techy tinkering. YouTube channel all about "history, archaeology and our They also run workshops, which are mainly focused shared human story." Their fresh and exciting approach to on creating digital narrative games and stories with the subjects they discuss make for dynamic and interesting easy-to-use digital tools. Ash has a fascination with programs, making history relevant and exciting. folklore, superstition and mythology that often Archaeosoup Productions provide a neat and well informed reveals itself in their creative work. Ash’s work has a look at diverse subjects in a fun format which should suit nostalgic thread running through both games and anything from curious members of the public to music, and much of it has a 1980’s style. Both professional archaeologists and students. folklore and a spirit of the 1980’s feature in their retro-style short digital folktale, Midwinter Spirits.

Archaeology Soup Channel ashgreen.uk/

7 8 Performer Biographies: Music Performer Biographies: Music

About Red Tape Central Red Tape Central- Individual Productions At Red Tape Central we offer exciting learning and development opportunities. We are based Oliver- Producer/ Composer in the Cultural Quarter of Sheffield city centre, close to the rail and bus stations. We offer a mix Oliver has created a piece which is heavily inspired by of resources, including a full suite of recording what the world could have looked like over ten studios together with enhanced IT facilities, a thousand years ago. Having researched Creswell Crags virtual classroom and state of the art creative he has created an image of the landscape, considering technologies. We offer a variety of programmes what it would look and sound like to the cave for all, from school leaving age to adults. Our inhabitants. He imagines a foggy, wet day and the courses are designed and delivered from starter sound of elks could be heard not too far away, possibly levels to the more advanced levels, ranging Background to the Project: being hunted by the cave people, Whilst crackling from Entry Level to Level 4. We will offer you embers gently rose from their campfires back home. initial assessment and guidance, together with This term the MT2 learners at Red Tape have lots of support to help you achieve your chosen been working with Creswell Crags Heritage qualification. Our Music Courses BTEC Level 3 Trust to create pieces of music for their Winter Euan - Producer/Songwriter Study Programme (Extended Diploma in Music Festival of Folklore. They have each created a Technology) Level 2 Music Technology and piece of music which is inspired by the Crags Euan has created a song which is inspired by the musical Performance Study Programme Digital Audio themselves, or the history and folklore which notations carved in the walls at Southwell Minster and Workstation Production Introduction to Studio surrounds them. cave art drawn on the walls of Creswell Crags. He has taken Recording inspiration from melodies that could be considered a big part of folklore, but integrated modern sounds and Red Tape Central- Group Productions production techniques to make it his own take on the brief. He is interested in psychedelic pop/folk and MT2 Group Production lack of resolution indicates that the folklore considers this to be a modern equivalent to folklore music. story of Creswell Crags is far from finished… He has also introduced a brass arrangement which is an This piece integrates musical ideas developed example of contemporary community music. by our Music Technology students using ambient and natural sounds. The sounds are electronically manipulated and arranged using PAIM – Level 2 Performance Group self-generative technology, which allows the piece to build itself in the same way that a The PAIM Level 2 Performance Group have Devontray - Producer/Rapper constantly evolving ecosystem like Creswell collaborated on a song which is inspired by Crags does. The piece is designed to be pictures taken of, from and around Creswell Devontray has created a track which integrates modern evocative of the natural and cultural Crags. The song follows the thoughts of production elements with the sounds and surroundings development of the gorge over the last 10,000 somebody who might be alone with nature and of Creswell Crags. He has been inspired by the entire years, using electronic manipulations to looking up at the night sky… history of the caves, bringing medieval folklore melodies recognise human interaction with the natural together with prehistoric spaces using modern environment. The musical open-ended feel and production techniques and arrangements

RedTapeCentral.org @_RedTapeCentral @RedTapeCentral @redtapecentral

10 9 Performer Biographies: Music Performer Biographies: Music

Santa Claus is Coming to Town The Jovial Miller and Original Johnny Victory and the Bluebird Belles Contemporary Folk Music

One of the major myths cited for Santa’s origin comes from Liam Vincent and the Odd Foxes a story about St. Nicholas of Myra, an early bishop of the Chris�an Church, giving money to three young women who The popular Folk/indie band Liam Vincent and could not afford to get married. On each of their birthdays the Odd Foxes will light up the Midwinter he threw a bag of money through the window and into a Festival of Folklore with original songs that layer stocking hung at the end of the girls’ beds. He was warm vocal harmonies with guitar, mandolin eventually caught by their father, who was supposedly and violin. They've also been raiding the local sworn to secrecy. folk song archives, and will present an exclusive re-imagining of the traditional Nottinghamshire Their video, Santa Claus is Coming to Town was directed, tale of a miller-turned-poacher who runs out of filmed, and edited by James Allsop and filmed in luck one fateful night. Nottinghamshire's beautiful Newstead Abbey.

Johnny Victory is a vintage performer, a The Bluebird Belles, Abbi, Beth and liamvincent.co.uk/ regular at Creswell Crags events, and a local Jimmi-Anne, are a vintage vocal harmony LiamVincentMusic favourite. He is often seen across the country trio, often seen gracing vintage events. providing costumed entertainment and vocals They are originally from Wolverhampton Liam Vincent @LiamVincentMusic @liamvincentandtheoddfoxes from music hall to the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and and affectionately named 'the Midlands' 60s. With a background in the heritage sector, sweethearts.' Johnny is delighted to be part of an event Medley of Folk-song focused on the stories of the past. By Talis Kimberley johnnyvictory.com thebluebirdbelles.co.uk Talis Kimberley presents a medley of three original songs @johnnyvictory1940 @thebluebirdbelles written and performed by Talis herself; 'Green Places', 'Hackpen Hill' and 'The Road to Avebury' a Christo-pagan A Selection of Carols Midwinter-Christmas carol. The set is brimming with the magical landscape of Wiltshire, including the Hackpen Hill Sung by Norton Church Choir white horse and the Ridgeway, and of course the Stones The choir of St. James' Norton, Sheffield has a proud at Avebury too. choral heritage. Throughout the current pandemic, they have continued to sing virtually and have Talis Kimberley performs contemporary folk songs contributed to virtual Sunday services for our S8 with sharp green edges & a whimsical heart, on diverse Mission Partnership. When singing restrictions were subjects from Green Issues & Politics, History & first lifted slightly a few weeks ago, four members of Literature, Gardens & Knitting, Radical Compassion, the choir were able to sing live at St. James' again, and Interfaith, & the Land. Talis's lock down-&-onward it is this quartet that brings you a selection of seasonal 'Kitchen Sessions' are on FB & YouTube now! music for the festival.

www.talis.net

stjamesnorton.org/ Talis Ko-Fi account @taliskimberleymusic

12 11 Witch Marks: Prayers Carved in Stone?

shelter, safety and comfort by the 16th are related to a natural sort of draft, a century became a place of deep suspicion “convection draught” which is known to and fear. Caves were places of mythology, cause sudden cold downward draughts of connected to the dark, to the underworld cold air has also been experienced at sites and fears of the devil. It is perhaps due to where marks are present. Could these these fears and myths surrounding caves sudden cold draughts have been taken as need to carve so many marks. However, it that people felt the need to carve proof of the existence of evil spirits present is important to realise that the Witch protective marks in them, but unlike in at the site? Marks were not easy to make; Robin houses where they attempt to keep bad Hood's cave during the time the marks spirits out; could it be that in caves they Could these examples of caverns in were originally made would have been were used to keep bad spirits in? Somerset shed some light on the reasons behind the Witch Marks at Creswell Crags? much harder to access. The carvings Other caves that have Witch Marks in We know that a small hamlet existed from would probably have been done by them could give us some clues to the the early medieval period at the end of the candlelight, and could have taken a long reasons behind the practice. Wookey Hole valley until around 1860. Could the marks time to carve- they were a deliberate and in Somerset has many protective symbols could have been carved to protect those somewhat dangerous act. All we can within its caves, the largest number of living in the valley from a perceived threat guess at is the simplest of explanations, marks were found surrounding a lurking inside the caves? While what exactly that these marks were carved for stalagmite in a part of the caves known as this could have been is difficult to guess, protection from some unknown force, the “Witch’s Chimney”. Could local myths both local myths and natural occurrences they are prayers carved in stone. explain the placement of these marks? In could have been a factor. There are some Works Used work by researchers Binding and Wilson local legends concerning a woman who was they trace two myths as possible accused of witchcraft and lived out her life in Binding, C. J. and L. J. Wilson (2010). "Ritual explanations for the protective marks. the caves as Creswell, but that legend is not Protection Marks in Wookey Hole and Long Hole, Witch Marks in caves are unique as, The first myth they explore states that the associated with the cave where the largest Somerset." Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society 25(1): 47-73. unlike in houses and churches they can't stalagmite inside the Witch's Chimney is number of marks can be found. be explained as something more practical. the petrified remains of a witch who was Binding, C. J., L. J. Wilson and T. Easton (2004). In houses and churches marks could have turned to stone by a priest and the power So, what about Robin Hood’s Cave could "Ritual Protection Marks in Goatchurch Cavern, been carved by masons who were building of God. have caused so much concern that villagers Burrington Coombe and North Somerset with an the structure, in these places marks could carved so many marks? The truth is, there is appendix on the use of conjoined V's to protect a have had many different reasons for being This myth can be traced back to the 17th no simple explanation; we may never know dwelling. ." Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society 23(2): 120-133. used; some practical like marking a plumb century and began to appear in poetry in why the early residents of Creswell felt the line so structures could be lined up the 18th century. The second myth made Champion, M (2016) Magic on the Walls: Ritual accurately; others for religious or ritual popular in 1825 by the poet James Protection Marks in the Medieval Church in reasons like consecration marks to Jennings describes what he considered to Ronald, H. (ed.) Physical evidence for ritual acts, dedicate a church to God. With multiple be a once common superstition held in sorcery and witchcraft in Christian Britain. possible uses both practical, religious or Summerset; the belief that spirits of the Easton, T. (2018). "Scores on the Doors." SPAB more secular, this can make dead could be banished to the caves at (The Society for the Protection of Ancient understanding ritual protection marks in Wookey Hole. According to this myth, a Buildings)(Winter): 52-57. buildings quite difficult. In caves however, ghost must be banished three times; once there are no obvious practical reasons for to a cavern at Wookey Hole for a period of Fearn, A. (2017). "A Light in the Darkness – the Taper Burns of Donington le Heath Manor House." their presence, so the question remains; seven years, then to the caves at Cheddar Peregrinations: Journal of Medieval Art and why are the marks there at all? Gorge (another location where ritual Architecture 6(1): 92-118. protection marks can be found) again for Caves have undergone quite a seven years and finally to the Red Sea Ronald, H. (ed) (2016). Physical evidence for ritual transformation in the minds of men since which would permanently banish the acts, sorcery and witchcraft in Christian Britain : a prehistory, what was once a place to find feeling for magic. Houndmills, Basingstoke, spirit. Other reasons given for the marks Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan.

14 131 Performer Biographies: Storytellers Performer Biographies: Storytellers

Whitby Krampus Run-Decadent Drawing When the Elder Tree Laughs

year the event attracted considerable media By Gordon MacLellan- Creeping Toad attention it being the only Krampus event in the When the Elder Tree Laughs- Take a wandering journey through U.K. As a result, in 2017 it needed to become an the magical other world of Creswell Crags. Populated by spirits who authorised Public Event (with all the challenges woke as the last Ice Age ended, these stories pick out moments of and expense). Since then, it has grown and enchantment over the centuries of the Crags’ life. Revolving around developed to become a unique, special and the carving of the witch marks, we’ll meet the people who carved the well-regarded event attracting collaborative marks and hear their hopes, fears and prayers. We’ll meet the witches partnerships with others such as Creswell Crags. they are afraid of. We’ll meet the Eldertree Witch and the Willow Man who have danced beside the stream for 5,000 years and still wait for Whitby Krampus Run is now not only a those quiet nights when the visitors have gone…. costumed street parade but also includes a Ball, last year featured a bronze age horn Gordon MacLellan is a storyteller, poet and artist exploring the Drummers, fire performers and costume performance.We have also chosen to relationships between people, places and wildlife. Gordon builds makers come together in fellowship to create incorporate local folklore and history within the deep connections to the history and mythology of the places where an improvised crossover performance of parade including the Barghest and inspiration he works which then inform the poems, stories and celebrations he creative intention, winter solstice ritual and a from Star Carr with an interpretation of a Star creates. Over 2020, Gordon has been the arts coordinator for the Carr shaman. Though starting on a small scale CelebrationEarth! project, building dynamic relationships between birthday celebration for Whitby Krampus Run’s Photo by Jamus Wood Vanessa Peltz. Enjoy a digital encounter with the through our interest in comparative folklore faith, art and conservation groups. and creative mischief and we are very fortunate Wild Things of Whitby Krampus Run featuring @creepingtoad @creepingtoad2 @creepingtoad @creepingtoad props and costumes based on ice age and to have linked up with groups in Austria, Scythian mummies brought to you from Whitby Denmark and across the US. beach. www.decadentdrawing.com/ The Ballad of Burg Rappottenstein and The Ravens are Back

Decadent Drawing created in 2013 by Elaine WhitbyKrampusRun DecadentDrawing ByLaura Grevel and Laurence present Whitby Krampus Run, Laura Grevel presents two poems full of mystery, myth and now in its 6th year, a creative look on a @WhitbyKrampusRun @DecadentDrawing meaning;“The Ballad of Burg Rappottenstein” is an old- traditional Austrian festive tradition. Harnessing @DecadentDrawing fashioned, storytelling ballad about the medieval history of the beast within, it followed on from alternative Rappottenstein castle, its dungeons and forest, and the ghosts of themed community art projects which challenge boundaries of art practice. Decadent the several rulers during history. The second poem is called “The Drawing’s art projects reflect an interest in Ravens Are Back”and starts as a story about animals, before darker folklore and myths, not by imitation but intertwining with myth to become a magical piece with a moral. by invocation of the creative spirit! Laura Grevel is an incredibly experienced performer, based in Decadent Drawing reflect Laurence and Elaine’s Nottingham she is part of the UNESCO World Heritage city’s interest in darker folklore and myths, and their Writers’ Studio and the DIY Poets. Her work has been published in will to challenge boundaries in art practice, and multiple outlets in the US and performances have taken her all over to collaborate with like minded people with a the world, from Austin’s FronteraFest to Leicester WORD! She spirit of creative mischief. Decadent Drawing tackles wide-ranging themes and styles from the migrant became a Community Interest Company in 2019. experience to fantasy prose poetry. Whitby Krampus Run reappeared in 2015 with a Laura Grevel Blog lgrevel.org/ Photo by SusuMa on Pixabay Photos small group wandering around Whitby. Within a @LauraGrevel LauraGrevel @LauraHGrevel

16 151 Performer Biographies: Storytellers Performer Biographies: Storytellers The Legend of Black Annis Women, Witches and the Wild Hunt Words and Voice Olivia Armstrong, Sound Ewen Moore Soryahh Tale Teller/ Sarah Lloyd-Winder Immerse yourself deep within the dark depths of December and join storyteller Olivia Armstrong as she tells the story of Black Annis. This legendary goddess or witch who lived Women, Witches and the Wild Hunt - A story of a in a bower in the Dane Hills, Leicestershire and lurks still somewhere on the edges of the dark night far off in both time and place. Storytellers take urban English landscape. you on amazing adventures, fight ferocious beasts, answer dangerous questions and bring you home with Olivia Armstrong has worked as a professional storyteller for just a story. Take part in the night hunt, eat, drink and 20 years, performing to all audiences and all ages. She knew she leave with payment in gold! Join Sarah Lloyd-Winder, an was destined to be a storyteller when her granny told her the experienced, inspirational storyteller from Hertfordshire, story of how she returned from the dead and her mother read as she revisits some ancient tales that may seem familiar, destinies in the teacups. Olivia performs in a wide variety of and weaves the magic of a story. cultural and historical locations. From castles to gardens, libraries to art galleries, sailing ships to cemeteries, Olivia creates Sarah Lloyd-Winder from Hertfordshire, takes site-specific performances based on history, legend and folklore, Storytelling worldwide. She runs regular storytelling storytelling regularly for Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, events and performs at Festivals, Schools and lovely BBC London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's storytelling venues. As recently said of her performance, Cathedral - and anywhere else that needs a story! She also "We enjoyed a fantastic day of performances and facilitates storytelling workshops to enable others to tell their workshops yesterday. Sarah was totally indefatigable and stories. really inspired the students to come up with some great work!" oliviaarmstrongstoryteller.com @oliviasstories @sarahlloydwinderStoryteller @soryahh @SoryahhTale

An Encounter with a Ghost & other stories. The Witch of Burslem By Adam Nightingale By Maria Credali Trees:Does a tree observed from a train window really contain the The Witch of Burslem- In the bustling, busy town of Burslem imprisoned body of a once powerful witch? An Encounter with a there is a quiet graveyard. And in that calm space, lays the Ghost at St Clement Danes: In a famous London church a devout extraordinary grave of an extraordinary woman. Join Maria young man ponders the theological consequences of having met a Credali to hear the fascinating (and sometimes gruesome) tale of Molly Leigh, the infamous witch of Burslem. ghost he does not believe in.Nicholas Cage’s Louisiana Estate Agent: The world’s greatest actor buys America’s most haunted Maria Credaliis an artist, zoologist and storyteller of growing building. renown, her recent work has taken her the main stage as the East Anglian Storytelling Festival 2020 as an up and coming artist. Adam Nightingaleis a writer and performer who studied drama at Maria now takes traditional tales and makes them her own, Guildford School of Acting. A film critic, museum educator and the breathing life into characters and taking the listener on journeys author of five history books, he is the writer and presenter of The Hood of magic and myth. Her favourite stories are those that leave you Free Zone and the 17th Century Tales podcasts. Adam performs feeling that all is well in the world…..perhaps those are just the regularly with the band The Fighting Nightingales. Join this master sort of stories we need at the moment… storyteller for three strange tales worthy of a midwinter night! worldstorytellingcafe.com/maria-credali/ The Fighting Nightingales 17th Century Tales website

18 171 Performer Biographies: Storytellers Performer Biographies: Storytellers

Living Ghost and The Voice of the Seasons ‘The Dragon of Wantley By Claire Finn By Dylan Knight Living ghost is a performance poem written and performed by Claire. The piece is about a haunting in lock down that touches on loneliness in isolation. She recently ‘The Dragon of Wantley’ is a tale from Dylan’s native performed Living ghost at the Nottingham Poetry Festival Sheffield. Even though it is based at Wharncliffe Crags, this tale and the Ludlow fringe festival 2020. Her piece was recently of an ever-hungry dragon, a selfish, drunken knight and the chosen for the BBC upload festival, aired on BBC radio most unusual way of finishing a fight will be sure to entertain all Nottingham in June of this year. “Poignant, relevant and families. It will also make anyone think twice about wandering completely on topic right now.” – Arun Verma BBC radio off into any cave alone…. You can watch more Sunday Stories on the Knight’s Tales YouTube Channel. Nottingham.The voice of the seasons is another performance poem written and performed by Claire. It looks Dylan Knight is a Nottingham based actor and storyteller at how the change of the seasons has such an impact on our with experience in film and theatre. Dee Riley is a Nottingham behaviours, well being and culture. How we respond to this based editor and artist. Together, they worked through the first and how the seasons is integrated with our existence and National Lock down to bring Sunday Stories- online time. entertainment telling stories of old, of wonder and of magic! Claire Finn is a professional actor with an array of experience in theatre, radio & television. Her credits include ‘Inside Holloway,’ as Edith Thompson (Channel five), Knight’s Tales Photo by Jay Bradley Southwark Playhouse and BBC radio Nottingham. Previously Claire has also written scripts for the National justice museum and most recently performed at the National civil war centre as Elizabeth Lilburne. The Burning of Auchindoun and the Mowing Devil clairefinn.weebly.com/ @clairefinn88 Morrighan Corbel Morrighan is providing two narrated folktales for the Gwynn ap Nudd and Elen of the Ways festival, each accompanied by animated versions of her By Chris Hurst own folktale illustrations. The two stories she has chosen to tell areThe Burning of Auchindoun, a tale of bloody Gwynn ap Nudd tells the story of the Wild Hunt, a belief that Scottish history embellished by both fact and fiction, and occurs in all regions of the Boreal Forest (a circumpolar forest The Mowing Devil, a Hartfordshire tale about a farmer that rings the Northern Hemisphere, mostly north of the 50th who comes to learn that minding your words is important- parallel) Gwynn and the Wild Hunt may be as old as mankind especially when calling on the Devil in anger! Both tales are itself. Who is he? What is his role? Elen of the Ways tells the particular favourites, and the rest of the folklore project can tale of a female antlered deity. The oldest Goddess of the be found on her website. British Isles dating back to Palaeolithic times.

Chris Hurst is a Permaculture Educator, Designer & Morrighan Corbelis a UK based illustrator. Her work, heavily atmospheric and often Consultant. An Animist with a lifelong fascination in our eerie, is influenced by strange and unusual narratives, and folk tales are of particular ancient Brythonic (what some people now call Celtic) culture interest. In 2019 Morrighan spent the year creating a body of illustrations around folklore, and our oral traditions, which can still be accessed through finishing with fifty two pieces detailing both well-known and obscure tales from the British mythology, folklore and customs. Chris is also a photographer, Isles. Morrighan's other interests include abandoned places, antiques, particularly video creator, public speaker & occasional blogger. personal ephemera, and cooking.

Chris Hurst Photo by veeterzy on Unsplash @Morrighan Corbel morrighancorbel.co.uk

20 19 Crafts With Creswell Crafts With Creswell Craft Demonstrations Blessings Tree Decoration The blessings tree decoration is another Victorian inspired creation, there are two varieties of this craft- one uses the Join us on Monday the 21st of December as we shell of an old Walnut as the part of the craft- the other is a indulge in a bit of Midwinter/ Christmas crafting! nut free version using a paper box. Adult supervision is Three different crafts for you to follow along and required for the Walnut version when splitting the walnut maybe even try them at home; if you do we would and for using strong glue. love to see pictures of your handiwork. Some of the crafts will need adult supervision, please see the descriptions for further information on what you will need. For the Walnut version: For the Paper craft version: • A few Walnuts • Templates- Pyramid box • A small knife (Adult supervision • Card or thick paper Midwinter/ Christmas Candle Cover required) • Christmas paper (optional) • A pencil or pen • A pencil or pen and a ruler • Scissors • Glue or double-sided sticky tape This pin prick Candle Cover is inspired by Victorian pin prick • Strong glue • A hole punch or craft punch cards, this craft may need adult supervision as it involves using a pin or a needle to make small holes in the cardboard • Metallic paint and paintbrushes • Thin parcel ribbon or paper. The video shows two different types that you can • Small decorations (i.e stick-on gems) • Thin strips of paper for writing on make at home. One uses an optional piece of tinfoil lining to • Thin parcel ribbon • Small round bells direct the light from the candle and make it seem brighter • Thin strips of paper for writing on • Small decorations (i.e stick-on gems) and only one side of it has a pin prick design, the other has • Small round bells. (optional) pin prick designs on all four sides. You can use the same technique to make hand made Christmas cards and decorations! Evergreen Wreath This wreath uses freely available evergreens and a bit of wire to make an outdoor decoration to jazz up your doorway this Midwinter. The addition of a small number of fairy lights add a bit of 21st Century glamour to an age old practice. Adult supervision required. You Will Need:

• Templates/ drawing instructions You Will Need: • Card or thick paper- any colour you like! • A selection of evergreen leaves- we • A pencil or pen and a ruler used Holly, Ivy, Yew and Laurel. • Scissors • Secateurs • Sellotape or Double sided sticky tape • Thin wire, or green plastic coat wire • A cork board or table protector • Scissors/ wire cutters • Three push pins • Small set or battery powered outdoor • A piece of ribbon (optional) lights (optional) • Tinfoil (optional) • String/ cord for hanging finished wreath • An LED candle

22 21 23 etvlo okoeTimetable Folklore of Festival

Saturday Sunday Monday 19th Dec 20th Dec 21st Dec

Gordon MacLellan Dylan Knight Dr Barnaby Dicker- Live Talk 11am 11am 11am Morrighan Corbel Archaeo-chat: Witch Marks 12 Archaeo-chat: Witch Marks 11.30am 11.45am 12 (midday) Crafts with Creswell Laura Grevel Adam Nightingale 12 (midday) 12.30pm 12.30pm

Callum Roome Claire Finn Simon Cutajar 2pm Friday 2pm 2pm Crafts with Creswell th Adam Nightingale Sarah Lloyd-Winder 18 Dec 2.30pm 2.15pm 2.30pm Festival Intro Dr. Barnaby Maria Credali Dicker John Charlesworth: The Witch 2.30pm Icy Sedgwick Live Talk Marks - Live Talk 3pm Alluvial Plains 3pm Gordon MacLellan 3pm Live Gaming Session Olivia Armstrong 3pm 3.30pm Music from Johnny Victory and Callum Roome 2pm- 4.30pm the Bluebird Belles & Claire Finn Norton Church Choir Whitby Krampus Run 4pm 4pm 3.50pm 4pm 12 Thanks and End Credits Whitby Krampus Run Chris Hurst 4.15pm Students of Red Tape Central, 4.30pm 12 4.15pm 5pm Music from Liam Vincent and Music from Talis Kimberley the Odd Foxes Music from Talis Kimberley 5pm 5pm 5.30pm Music From Norton Church Choir

5.20pm Festival of Folklore Timetable

Midwinter Spirits Talk/ Live Available 18th- 21st Story Teller Talk Music Crafts 24 creswell-crags.org.uk

Creswell Crags @CreswellCrags @creswellcrags @creswellcrags