Bones Was A Man (2021) by Peter Kettle RCAThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Bones Was A Man' - Peter Kettle RCA
'The chill of the sea that comes over the side.
The wind picking up like it’s done many times.
The rain falling hard on the water that’s boiling.
The heavens and the oceans move in deep understanding to bring about the final wave.'
Geology (2021) by Hilary PaynterThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Enlightenment' - Hilary Paynter
'The world was empty when the giant fell.
Man heard only whispers he’d fallen,
That his knuckles had turned to rock.
Far from the bogs and tar pits that stick
To his heels and to his lungs.
The wind sings over his sleeping skull.'
Barnstaple Long Bridge (2021) by Hester BerryThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Barnstaple Long Bridge' - Hester Berry
'One I’ll always remember among my days at Shapland and Petter, was the day we watched the bridge blow up from the windows across the river.
All in the same room—didn’t matter if you were porter, foreman or Jack Oliver— watching the same bridge
fall stone by stone.'
Winsford (2021) by Edward CrumptonThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Winsford' - Edward Crumpton
Still in the dark of the moonlight,
By the river in Winsford square,
You hear the whistling of Tom Faggus,
That’s him whistling on the wind,
You hear the whistling of Tom Faggus,
He whistles for his strawberry mare.'
Stag (2021) by Josephine WalkerThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Stag' - Josie Walker
'The thin spring light that came through the windows, still cold
and holding onto winter, shone upon the factory floor,
shone upon the outraged faces, shone on all
but the corner that was dark, and that was where the young stag lay,
still but for his panting.'
Winter Sea (2021) by Merlyn Chesterman REThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Winter Sea' - Merlyn Chesterman RE
'The sea speaks
Of the lighthouse, the rope burn, the journey.
Our men at sea, we weave, we weave.
All eyes on the cliff-dwelling ravens that wait
Like black angels.'
Barnstaple Old Fair (2021) by Peter StilesThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Barnstaple Old Fair' - Peter Stiles
'I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t somewhere among the lights.
Somewhere in this old horse fair that lights up Monkey Island,
somewhere by the gondolas and the golden dragons
is the boy I want to find.
Somewhere,
in this, the first place my parents saw
electric light.'
Pranging (2021) by Gail Spencer-MollingtonThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Pranging' - Gail Spencer Mollington
'Pranging was a weekly event.
Three of us camped on the embankment
among wood smoke, mud and buddleia.
We’d wade in barefoot at low tide; the fish lie in the gravel
and when your soles on their souls go, beware the flounders tickle.'
Searching for Nanny Oram (2021) by Petra FreemanThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Searching for Nanny Oram' - Petra Freeman
'I sit free by my fire, in which I hear
the bones of my sisters crack.
I am not hung by the neck;
instead a man will hang my picture
from his grand walls when I am dead.
I will be known for the good I shared.'
Bird Apocalypse (2021) by John HurfordThe Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
'Bird Apocalypse' - John Hurford Hon SWAc SGFA
Cracked stones he flung across heather and bracken and milkwort and gorse,
And as he threw them some took flight, on feathers the Devil’s stones took form:
Bright black ravens with bright black souls.
Find them dancing along the gallows pole.
The Weird, Wild and Wonderful accompanying book is the perfect companion for those looking to hold the people, history and folklore of North Devon in the palm of their hand. Featuring all artworks and poetry by Jade Angeles Fitton. Available from the museum shop or online.
Weird, Wild and Wonderful - The Myths, Relics and Folklore of North Devon is currently exhibited in the Keith Abraham Gallery, March - July 2021. The museum would like to thank all the participating artists and extend a personal thanks to Jade Angeles Fitton for co-curating the exhibition and publication.
