“This is no mere tale — it is a whisper from the village where I call home, cloaked in whimsy yet shrouded with shadows…”

King of the River

“Kingfishers live along the banks-sides of the river Skerne, this bird hides from me, and I have never seen one no matter how many times as a child I sat along the riverside.”

—Ronald Craig

Magic Mam

Scugdale Rd - Greta-Ann was a kind lady from Scugdale, and her husband was a retired gardener for the queen or so would say with a smile. He would always serve the pudding and give Ruby-May extra portions.

Man on the Moon

The Village

Perched high upon a hill, it is open and exposed to the elements, the only protection is a dense black wood that often eerily traps the mist as it descends from the dusky sky. At the edge of the village, the river Skurne flows around the land. Known as 'The Black Path' and thought to be from another realm.

Flip

“Flip is a green catfish I once saw at the black-and-white bridge on Salters Lane near the village.

It swam through the shallows, climbing over stones

as if pushing its way up the River Skerne.

The black-and-white bridge a place steeped in local

folklore—stories of ghosts and strange shadows seen in the dark

linger to this day.”

—Ronald Craig

Follow Bonny on her path to face the Tall Man

“The village is an old coal mining settlement, and back then, every home relied on coal to stay warm. Each night, before bed, I would have to head out into the pitch black to pack up the fire—no light, just the raw presence of nature around you. You moved quickly, always aware of the dark. But sometimes, the night would seem to play tricks on you. Shadows would shift, the wind would rise without warning, and the door might slam shut behind you—as if the night itself wanted to trap you outside.”

—Ronald Craig

The Burning Effigy

The Tall Man

Every year, on all Hallows Eve, an effigy of the giant created by the people in a sign of the villages’ desire to remember and please him. Despite this offering, the stories and fears of The Tall Man taking people from their beds continue to haunt the hearts and minds of villagers.

The Inglnook

And then, just as Ruby-May was starting to feel more relaxed, Greta-Ann handed her a key. This was the moment Ruby-May’s adventure began, the inglenook near the window hid a cupboard. Ruby-May turned the key, the inner mechanism of the lock clicked and grinds as the key turns as the lock opens.

The Witch's Lair

The friends cautiously approached the lair, unsure of what to expect. They tried the handle, and to their surprise, it opened. As they stepped inside, greeted by the sight of a cluttered room filled with strange objects and books. The air was thick with the scent of herbs, spices and all mannor of horid smells.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse