Widcombe mummers, Jan 2020
Dr H
Category Archives: Folklore
Workshop at the Ashmolean Museum
I’ve been lucky enough to work on comics relating to the Spellbound exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum (more about this soon).
If you live near to Oxford and would like to make your own comic inspired by the exhibition, there are still a few places left on the workshop I’m running on Friday 28th September.
You can book your place here!
Dr H
Bosham
Some time ago now, I posted my comic about the story of the Bosham Bells.
I recently had the chance to return to Bosham and revisit the church that features in this story.
The village of Bosham sits on Chichester Harbour.
The earliest parts of Holy Trinity Church date from the Saxon period, though there are many additions of Norman and later medieval date. The church is featured in the Bayeux Tapestry, and a replica of this section, made in memory of a local resident, hangs on the wall.
When I visited the church as child, the feature that most fascinated me was the memorial to King Cnut’s daughter.
Though I also liked going down the short set of steps into the church’s crypt.
This time, I noticed the evidence of graffiti and traces of wall paintings.
As well as the font, which had once been kept covered “to ensure the Holy Water was not stolen for witchcraft”.
I didn’t get to hear the bells in the church, but I went outside to the graveyard, looked up at the bell tower and remembered how, when I was six or seven, I had stood at the edge of the water and strained my ears to hear the great bell calling from the bottom of Bosham Deep.
Dr H
MeZolith
MezoLith Vol. 1 by Adam Brockbank
Excellent news!
The first volume of this graphic novel set in the mesolithic era is back in print, with Volume Two due out later this year.
Ben Haggarty and Adam Brockbank present a compelling version of prehistory – drawing on archaeological evidence, anthropology and folklore.
There is an insightful interview with Ben Haggarty over on the Paste Magazine site.
Dr H
New Year
Since 2007 we have been going to watch the Widcombe Mummers perform on New Year’s Day.
The story changes slightly each time, with reference to local events, but it generally revolves around the battle between King George and the Turkey Snipe. (You can read about different versions of this traditional play here).
When the Knight is fatally wounded, the players call on the services of the Quack Doctor and then Beelzebub to resurrect him.
The play ended this year with everyone singing a version of the Gloucestershire Wassail.
Then it’s time for the mummers, musicians and audience to parade along to the next location and the next performance.
All the very best for 2016 from Dr A and Dr H.
Photos by Mr X.
Prehistories 