The waters return to Trollers Gill

   Previous visits to Trollers Gill noted the curious sight of a flowing stream disappearing underground half way down the ravine, only to re-emerge in the empty stream bed to the south of the gorge.

  For much of year the stream bed in the gorge forms a rocky path used by walkers trekking up the ravine (see pic below), but after winter rains the underground section of the watercourse cannot flow all the water, and so the stream runs in a torrent down the full length of the gorge.

The Arnecliff Wishing stone – Glaisdale

 Arnecliff Woods are located half a mile to the east of Glaisdale village, on the North York Moors.

 A footbridge across the river Esk leads to a woodland path which runs alongside the river, before winding its way up the hillside through the wood. After 500m or so the path passes a large split boulder, which is known locally as the Wishing Stone (grid reference NZ 78625 04964).

  The Wishing Stone is not marked on the OS maps, nor does it seem to have been recorded in any local history books. The little information we do have comes from the local author Peter Walker who grew up in Glaisdale, and briefly mentions the rock in his book Folklore of the North York Moors (Walker, 1990).

The Fairies Parlour cave – Sutton Bank

 The Fairies Parlour cave is located below the White Mare Crags (Whitestone Cliff) on Sutton Bank, 5 miles to the east of Thirsk.

 In his book Vallis Eboracensis, Thomas Gill described his visit and exploration of this small cave, known locally as the Fairies Parlour.

  “In an almost inaccessible part of the rock is a large cave called “The Fairies’ Parlour.” The place is somewhat difficult of access, but when attained it will amply repay the adventurer for his trouble. The parlour or cave is a natural formation. A large crevice of the rock forms the entrance, after which you descend a rugged cliff of three yards perpendicular rock. Another descent of two yards or so, introduces you to the area of the cave, with a projecting arch of twenty or thirty feet in height, very spacious, and running in a parallel line some twenty or thirty yards, with streaks of light glimmering into it through the narrow fissures of the rock. The mythology of the district declares it to have been the retreat of the giants, ……” (Gill, 1852)

The Lost Stone Circle – Brimham Rocks

 Around the year 1785, the antiquarian Hayman Rooke visited Brimham Rocks in search of ‘Druidic monuments’. As an early archaeologist, Rooke was following the current theory that stone circles, standing stones and other rock features were erected by the ancient Britons and their Druid priests. He presented his findings to the Society of Antiquaries in 1786, and a report appeared in the societies Archaeologia journal. (Rooke, 1787).

 In his report Rooke speculated that some of the naturally eroded crags and boulders at Brimham may have been adapted by the Druids for their religious practices, such as the oddly shaped Idol Rock, the group of Four Rocking Stones, and the Cannon Rocks etc. Amongst his speculations, Rooke also mentions that ….
“About eighty yards S. W. of the oracular stone, or great cannon, is a large tumulus of earth and stones one hundred and fifty feet in circumference : on the west side there seems to have been a little ditch and vallum, which probably enclosed the tumulus, and may have been destroyed for the repair of walls and roads, a thing which too frequently happens to these ancient monuments. About a quarter of a mile farther to the west is a Druid circle, with a vallum of earth and stones, thirty feet diameter. It is exactly of the same construction as those on Stanton Moor, in the Peak of Derbyshire. There are likewise several small tumuli. Thirteen of them are ranged in a kind of circle, the largest not above eighteen feet diameter. They are formed of earth and large stones. Two of these I opened; towards the bottom, the effects of fire appeared on the stones, and ashes were scattered about, but there were no urns to be found.”

God Jul – Good Yule

 These happy little fella’s in a barn with a big bowl of creamy porridge are the Jultomten (Yule Tomten). A bowl of porridge was left out for them on Christmas eve in thanks for their help during the year.  The Tomten of Sweden and the Nisse of Denmark / Norway seem to be relatives of the Hobs of northern England, and probably share a common origin.

The Tomten were originally quite dark and aggressive figures protecting farms and dwellings, but they evolved during the late 1800’s into much more jolly fellows delivering presents at Christmas. This transformation continued with one little chap becoming human sized and dressed all in red – the generic image of Santa Claus that we have today, while the original Tomten became Santa’s little helpers.

These old Christmas cards by the artist Jenny Nyström capture some of the old Scandinavian Yule tide beliefs.

Wassail to all the good folk out there

Image credits Jenny Nyström   http://jennynystromsbilder.kalmarlansmuseum.se/