The Other Folk of Chorlton Woods

Yes that right I’m the donny The Dog that rules them all

I show no fear I beat the lot They cower with their paws Over their eyes The whining hounds How dare they even look When I stroll past So bold and strong With that bone of yours I took.

Not because I needed it I do not go hungry Because I am the Ghost of dogs An amalgamation of us all. The Great Dog in the sky.

If you see me, coming by It is because another’s passed Nod your head to me In respect And I may Give you a glance.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Mike Wardle

Dun Cow was a giant girl Who gave us All her milk. Kindly would she Stand there Pails filled to the brim

“How now, dun cow?” Folks would ask “Why do you share it all?”

“Because what I have I want to give Like those who came before,” She said.

Then one day, a clever witch Decided for a laugh, To test the cow’s capacity To take more than enough.

She used a sieve A bowl with holes Underneath our hero cos Instead of filling up the pail The milk just drained away.

“How dare you take Advantage of me.” Dun cow was in a stink “I’m going away for a while now To have a good long think.”

Why do people take advantage When we seek to be kind? “Take modestly when I give,” She said “Then I really do not mind.”

Dun cow may come back one day Folks still wait and hope And in the meantime, share Whatever’s left We all just have to cope.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Louise Wardle

Tam Lin is the lion Tamed by his bride She knows what she wants And takes when she needs

Are you strong or fierce? Both, you see.

When I see injustice I take it down.

When I see your grief I am immune to pain.

I watch and learn And bide my time.

Waiting for the moment To bite.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Jessica Symons

Come with The Harewitch She’ll keep you strong

Bear with The Harewitch As you go along

She hops through the glen Into the woods It’s her natural domain Queen of it all

Listen to her Wisdom She has much to share

Laugh with her Humour She’ll keep you there.

To wit and to wise The Harewitch has time To listen and care With you in mind.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Roxanne Yates

Boo! Scary Boggart Naughty boy How dare you Scare me

“He’s a one” They say Look in his eyes DEATH That is what I see there

Boggart is bad He’ll eat you He’ll steal from you He’ll hurt you

Stay away from him Never go near He’ll cut you up Oh yes

Poor Boggart How can he ever Learn to be good If no-one speaks to him

Maybe no-one was kind When he grew up Maybe if we are nice He will learn to be A friend

Maybe Not

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Jessica Symons

Some say Jenny drags you in To the pond; The unaware Who get too near.

Jenny is mistaken you see She thinks the pond is the place to be

She does not realise Just how dangerous Deep water is to those Who get too close.

Jenny Green-teeth is lonely In her watery play-den For her the land is scary The lake is safe.

She wants to you to come Enjoy her water lilies Swim with the fish Dance with the newts And gobble flies with the frogs

But you cannot go with Jenny Cos she will drown you By mistake.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Roxanne Yates

Yes my friends It’s me again Fishing down by the pond

Some say I’m a wolf A fairie lad Whose tale is Long and bushy

I’m actually quite the something With people passing by. It causes quite a stir When they see What’s in my sack.

A tasty snack Carp or two River fish for me I may leave one On this shelf for you If you promise to leave quietly.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Josh Taylor

How we danced, when we saw What was going on, out the door. Over there, the hob works His broom sweeping Out the dust.

No chores for me When the Hob is about I wish he’d come often To our house

“Look away quick!” Mum shouts from the kitchen “The Hob disappears if you see him. He only works if he has No thanks

Unlike me Who likes a grateful Hug Every now And then.”

Give your loved ones a grateful hug For being there for you.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Jessica Symons