Category Archives: Local Legends

Alderman Hill and Alphin Pike

Posted on May 23, 2018 by

Alphin Pike These high points near Saddleworth (near Manchester) were named after the two giants who made their homes there; Alphin and Alderman. They were friendly with each other at first, until they both fell in love with Rimmon, a … Continue reading →

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The Tale of Fox Robin

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

St Peter’s Church, Westleigh In Westleigh, Greater Manchester, Fox Robin is a well-known name. Fox Robin was a farmer and Fox Robin Fold was his farm; the land was bought in recent years by Westleigh High School and is now … Continue reading →

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The Park Mistress of Hornby Park

Posted on July 19, 2017 by

This little ghost story has some folk elements which are hard to ignore. A woman named Meg Brackin was out in Hornby Park one evening, looking for kindling for her fire. She came across another woman and wondered what she … Continue reading →

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‘Red Clogs’ a Coalminer’s Ghost

Posted on July 20, 2016 by

Recently, whilst researching for Manchester Folk, I came across an intriguing mention of a ghost known as Red Clogs. No detail was given but with a little research, I discovered that he wasn’t called that because he wore red clogs … Continue reading →

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The Devil at Hell Clough

Up on the moor near Bacup, there is a pile of loose boulders in an area known as Hell Clough and, as you’d expect, there’s a legend featuring the Devil which explains how this came to be. Somewhere near this … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on June 16, 2016 by | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sir Richard Owen and a gruesome tale

Posted on May 24, 2016 by

Sir Richard Owen Whilst this story has only a tenuous link to folklore proper, it is one which has haunted me since I first discovered it some years ago. And so I offer it here – make of it what … Continue reading →

Posted in Lancashire, Local History, Local Legends, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

St Andrew’s Church, Leyland – and its monstrous cat.

Posted on December 12, 2015 by

Long ago, the people of Whittle-le-Woods set about building a church. All the townspeople helped, so that by the end of the first day the foundations were already laid. The next morning, the priest was visited by a farmer from … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, Church, Local Legends, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment