Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 25, 1914.djvu/407

Rh intention; but Evesham bells beginning to ring, it swerved to the right, and fell where it now lies.

Goblins. — The Mickleton Hooter, or Belhowja, had his haunt in Mickleton Hollow (sometimes called Weeping Hollow), a deep, wooded glen which runs up into the Ilmington Hills, above the village of Mickleton. Accounts of this fearful being having been seen are not wanting, but as a rule he was only to be heard, and that near midnight. His howlings, yellings, and shriekings are reported to have been heard by very many persons; among others by my maternal grandmother and her sister, who, when returning late in the evening from Hidcote Bartrum to Upper Stoke, had to pass close by the head of the Hollow. The sounds which they heard were enough to alarm them very greatly.

In my younger days no one thought of questioning the fact of the horrible noises to be heard in Mickleton Hollow, but sceptical persons suggested that the howlings of vixen foxes, repeated and confused by echoes from the steep, and in some places precipitous, banks around, may have been the cause. It is, however, to be observed that though there are plenty of vixen foxes and echoes elsewhere, there is no other Mickleton Hooter in the neighbourhood.

F. S. Potter.

The Pancake Bell. — At Richmond, Pancake bell is still rung on Shrove Tuesday.

Carling Sunday. — Passion Sunday is known as " Carling Sunday." Pease pudding is given away at small inns.

Oak wearing. — On May 29th, twenty years ago, the children all wore oak, and got a holiday.

Hiring Fairs. — Hiring Fairs are early in May and November for ploughmen and hinds, who still stand near the Cross, and take their "God's penny." Hinds are hired for a year, other servants for six months. Twenty years ago girls stood for hiring, but not now.