Wiltshire Folk Tales

These lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain's most ancient counties are vividly retold by local storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis. Their origins lost in the oral tradition, these thirty stories from Wiltshire reflect the wisdom of the county an its people. From the Giant's Dance to the famous Moonrakers, no stone is left unturned to discover the roots of the county. Discover Merlin's trickery, King Alfred's bravery, along with dabchicks and the Devil, the flying monk of Malmesbury and the ravenous maggot of Little Langfort. These tales, illustrated by the author, bring alive the landscape of the county's ancient barrows, stone circles and rolling hills. Kirsty Hartsiotis has been a professional storyteller for over ten years. She is a member of the storytelling company Fire Springs, with whom she has co-produced many shows. With a lifelong love of folklore and history, she has a particular interest in telling stories for the heritage industry, in which she's worked for fifteen years interpreting history for wide audiences.

These lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain's most ancient counties are vividly retold by local storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis. Their origins lost in the oral tradition, these thirty stories from Wiltshire reflect the wisdom of the county and its people. From the Giant's Dance to the Great Western Railway, no stone is left unturned to discover the roots of the county. Discover the Moonraker's passages and Merlin's trickery, dabchicks and the devil, the flying monk of Malmesbury and a canal ghost story. These tales have all stood the test of time, and remain classic texts that will be enjoyed time and again by modern readers.

With its wild eroding sea, its gentle rolling fields and tall churches, Suffolk is a county of contrasts. It may seem a kindly and civilised place, but in that sea, in the reed beds, the woods and even down dark town streets lurk strange beasts, ghosts and tricksters. These thirty traditional tales retold by storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis take you into a hidden world of green children and wildmen, of lovers from beyond the grave and tricksy fairy folk. Shaped by generations of Suffolk mardle and wit, in these stories you'll discover the county's last dragon, the secret behind Black Shuck, saintly King Edmund and heroic King Raedwald, haunted airfields, broken-hearted mermaids and the exploits of the county's cunning folk. Embark on this journey around Suffolk and you'll find you're never far from a story.

Carefully selected stories from the celebrated Folk Tales series have been gathered here for this special volume. Herein lies a treasure trove of tales from a wealth of talented storytellers performing in the country today.From hidden chapels and murderous vicars to travelling fiddlers and magical shape-shifters, this book celebrates the distinct character of England's different customs, beliefs and dialects, and is a treat for all who enjoy a good yarn.

Suffolk – a peaceful, rural county with big skies, rolling fi elds, unspoilt beaches, quaint towns and villages. But all is not as quiet as it seems. Could that be the eerie clanking of gibbet chains at the crossroads? Did you see a desolate face at an upper window or a spectral white form lurking in the hedgerow? Cats are not always lucky – and beware a north Suffolk Broad in the still, small hours of Midsummer Night . . . Kirsty Hartsiotis and Cherry Wilkinson retell, with spine-chilling freshness, thirty fabulous ghost tales from all corners of this beguiling county. So pull up a chair, stoke the fire and prepare to see its gentle landscape in a new light.

This collection, inspired by the folklore of the Royal County, contains a plethora of tales robustly retold for a contemporary audience. The exploits of well-known figures such as Herne the Hunter and Dick Turpin feature alongside many of the county's lesser-known legends. From a cruel ordeal by fire and historical trials by combat, to the lore of dragons and witches, Berkshire Folk Tales is a heady mix of bloodythirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories. But this is not only a book of folk tales. It is also a gazetteer to guide you, allowing you to make the same journey as the antiquaries and discover this land and its stories for yourself.

The dark side of Wiltshire's ancient history has left its mark on the county's inns, hotels, stately homes and burial barrows. A hideous dwarf is said to haunt Lacock Abbey; a spooky white cat stalks walkers on the ancient Ridgeway; the Lady in White grabs the shoulders of unwary male visitors in the gardens at Avebury Manor, seeking her lover lost to the Civil Wars, and the Blue Lady pops up in the ladies toilets at the Cross Guns Inn Avoncliff, thought to be the most haunted pub in Wiltshire. These real-life stories have been collected and researched over the years, using a variety of sources and interviews with the people at the heart of the ghostly activity. These tales of unexplained noises, mysterious shadows and ghostly encounters are sure to send a chill down your spine.