Where the Little Folk Live!

 

 

Some of the places that play an important part in the lives of Trugs and their friends and enemies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladybrook is a stream which runs to the North of Poynton. The Queen of the Water Sprites lives here. She is known as the Queen of Ladybrook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poynton Lake is now more commonly known as Poynton Pool. It used to be part of the grounds of Poynton Towers. Water Sprites live round the edges of this lovely lake, looking after the creatures in and around it.

They are especially vigilant on Bonfire Night when they spend alot of time calming frightened ducks!

 

Serpentine Wood is so named because of its snaky shape.

Little Folk think this small wood is inhabited by trolls and strange magic. Under no circumstances will they venture into it!

 

Poynton Towers is the stately home which used to stand where the Towers Road estate is now. An early

timber framed hall was built in the mid 1500s, added to, demolished, built again around two hundred years later leaving nothing from the original hall at all. The oldest part of the building, which gave it its name,

were the two towers at each side dating from the late 1600s.

Lazy Trugs and Jemmies used to live below the floorboards there and raid the kitchens for food during the night. The food was very rich and these Trugs and Jemmies became extremely podgy!

Eventually these portly Trugs and Jemmies had to move out because of all the repeated demolition and rebuilding. They did however find this difficult because they had by then grown so rotund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middlewood is a large forest where some Oak Folk are to be found. The Middlewood Dragons also live here and have their lairs in deep underground holes.

Middlewood, like all the other forests, is home to much of Poynton's wildlife.

Fairly recently, men were digging for coal here, and there are still dangerous mineshafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Hill is the land of the Fruit Folk, who grow a wide range of fruits and berries. They have a jam business and a brewery for fruit wines and cider. They also sell their fruit to other folk such as the baker moles of Cornfield who use it to make delicious fruity breads and pies.

Of course Cloudberry puts in a secret order of ingredients for his award-winning mince pies every Winter!

 

Little Woodend is the home of Lord and Lady Goosgog, who manage the Strawberry Hill fruit orchard and are responsible for the well being of all the fruit folk.

Goosgog is another name for gooseberry.

 

Mousley Bottom is the home of a growing community of well-off mice, living near Bottoms Hall.

These industrious mice use thimbles from Lady Bottom's sewing basket to carry away milk from the kitchen. This they make excellent use of, producing all varieties of wonderful cheeses.

 

Seven Springs is where the Water Sprites of the Northlands make their famous bottled tonics using spring water and aromatic herbs. Sometimes the nearby Fruit Folk will give them over-ripe fruit to make sweeter drinks with.

 

Badger's Clough - Location of a huge badger sett. Little Folk seldom bother with badgers, who in their opinion are extremely ill-tempered. Night Folk pay them an occasional visit, but this is usually to discipline young badgers who have been 'chicken-worrying' in the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wigwam Wood is a private wood. The railway runs through it so it is now extremely dangerous. Long ago, before the railway was built, the Wild Trugs of Wigwam Wood lived here. They were on the whole a rather noisy group of Trugs, unlike those of Trugs I'th Hole.

 

According to the Hogboons and the Jemmies, the Wild Trugs were rather too fond of the Strong Ale brewed by the Oak Folk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the crossroads at Fountain Place in the centre of Poynton. Less than a hundred years ago, it was so quiet at the crossroads that boys would be able to play a game of cricket there, stopping only when the odd horse and cart or push bike came through, or more rarely, an automobile!

Little Folk are never seen here. They consider it far too dangerous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit Burro' Farm Location of the large warren-home of the Hopper family. The rabbits here specialise in the cultivation of nibblesome cereal crops like wild oats and two-rowed barley.

 

Jemmies live in Prince's Wood and the Little Folk Legend of Prince Eadwulf of Adlington begins here, where he is said to have been found by the ancestors of the Jemmies, floating in a small pool.

Jemmies have a reputation for liking gossip and it seems that their ancestors were no exception. What probably began as a rumour spread across the Woodland and resulted in the "Prince of Strangers" being chased South where he eventually took refuge in Wych Wood.

 

Some very enterprising Jemmies found out, by peeping on the Stompers and asking many questions, how to smelt metal from special stones. They started their very own Smithy near the Stompers' Smithy where they used discarded pieces of iron bloom to make small metal objects.

The other Little Folk were and still are quite wary of using anything made of metal. All across Britain, it is said that iron objects will protect humans from faerie magic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprink Farm, also known as Spring Farm is the place where the Trug-hole of Clary Wintergreen is found. Most Little Folk are well aware of how to get here because Clary Wintergreen is the nurse of the Lands. She is excellent at curing minor ailments although in more serious circumstances other folk may be consulted.

Although Clary Wintergreen is often rather bossy and bad-tempered, she is a very thoughtful Trug at heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coppice - Coppice Folk have lived here for a very long time.

They use the coppiced wood to make all manner of things, from besom brooms to the wattle houses they live in. Coppice Folk say that in ancient times they taught the Stompers how to coppice trees, and that Coppice ladies showed them many basketry skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hempybank, in tiny Ben's Wood, is the home to a very quiet and friendly group of tiny people who spend their time making different kinds of rope, string and thread from what they find around them. Sometimes they make fine silky wool from thistledown, sometimes chunky rope from honeysuckle stems and occasionally they have been known to recycle Stompers old clothes which sometimes find their way to the most remote places. One Stomper sock can make a whole new wardrobe for a Hempie although such folk as Lady Well-to-do would never wear such attire!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throstle's Nest - A throstle is a very old word for a thrush, so you can probably guess who lives here.

 

Before Woodruff Fleabane invented the honeysuckle line string telephone system for the Little Folk, throstles were often called upon to relay messages between folk. Many other birds helped to do this too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Winds is a place for making important decisions. Oak Folk are said to be able to converse with wind spirits here, helping them to make these decisions. This has led to the saying "It will end up wherever the wind blows it", and "leave it to flap in the wind awhile", meaning respectively whatever will be will be, and don't make your mind up just yet. Little Folk normally use these sayings when they have no idea what to do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Knott is one of the important hills of the area from which the attention of many can be attracted by use of a beacon fire.

Little Folk are very good at making these beacon fires safely, but they always get nervous on November 5th when the Stompers build huge bonfires everywhere! They usually run away and watch from a safe distance. Night Folk however are extremely brave and try to make sure at this time that there are no furzehogs or other wildlife hiding in the bonfires before the Stompers light them. Little Folk have to use pussy-willows as ear plugs on November 5th because they all have very sensitive hearing and fireworks are too loud for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crow Wood is a very noisy wood, on account of the birds that live there. Crows, ravens and rooks make such a cacophony that hardly any Little Folk go there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursefield Wood - The "Pool-faerie" of Styperson Pool is said to have lost her magic purse here during the last time she was able to walk on land for a night and a day. No one can remember exactly when that was - not even the Hogboons! The Water-Sprites there believe that without it she is unable to ever leave the water, and that that is why she has not been seen by anyone now living in the Lands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lantern Wood, known long ago as Lanthorn Wood, is home to the mysterious nocturnal Night Folk.

Excellent astronomers, it is said of Night Folk that they hear sounds coming from the stars, and that they write mysterious things down in secret books. Night Folk get particularly excited when there are comets or lunar eclipses.

They spend much time looking after nocturnal wildlife, and check on Stompers' pets whenever they can. They are upset when pets are poorly looked after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plague Corner is seen by the Little Folk as a place of very bad luck. Long ago, Hemlock the Horrid was seen by a band of crows coming away from the place at nightfall. On investigation in the morning, the grass where Hemlock the Horrid had been was withered and dead. The folk who investigated the dead grass became very ill with what the Little Folk called plague, because of stories they had heard the Hogboons tell about the Great Stomper Plague.

The place therefore became known as Plague Corner and even today, Little Folk stay well away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stonehead - There is a stone here which Little Folk say can speak, albeit slowly and with a very gritty voice. They say it has magic properties, and that a promise made in front of Stonehead can never be broken.

Some Little Folk still have their weddings here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skellorn Green,(Skellon, Skallern) is used by Little Folk for their Midsummer Fayre, and any other large gatherings they may have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorrel lives at Ash Tree farm, which is not really a farm as such, but a place where lost farm animals and wild animals in need tend to end up.

Sorrel's friend Clary Wintergreen visits regularly to see if any animals need treatment for illness.

Sorrel is so kind to the animals that sometimes they become over-comfortable and outstay their welcome! In fact, some have more or less become permanent lodgers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noggin Farm is the home of the Trugs Pignut and Marigold. In fact, they made their home in the wall of the large farmhouse and live there extremely comfortably. Theirs is one of the few instances where Little Folk live alongside and in the knowledge of Stompers, or people like us.

Pignut and Marigold's Stompers often leave potatoes or milk outside their door, and are well aware of their existence although they have never exchanged words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Folk say that Lockgate is the place where things were locked away in a chest and buried, but nobody can recall where or why. It is all a complete mystery - not even the Hogboons can help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorse Wood - Woodruff and other Trugs in the area go mushrooming here. They are fungi experts and always know which fungi are safe and immediately recognise those which are not. Stompers are not good at this. Trugs get extremely angry when they see Stompers picking mushrooms.

Gorse Wood is also a place where small Trugs like to play and adult Trugs go for walks or have picnics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trugs I'th Hole is the place which used to be the main Trug-village before Stompers began to settle in bigger numbers, causing the Trug population to scatter far and wide, and resulting in a decrease in their numbers.

There is another Trugs I'th Hole just North-West of Macclesfield on the way to Over Alderley!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roundy House - there is still a Roundy house today but it is not the same one that the Little Folk had specially built many years ago.

The Little Folk's Roundy House was built by the Coppice Folk as a place where large parties, weddings, birthdays and suchlike could be celebrated.

Nowadays, these events happen at many different locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road that runs over the top of Pedley Hill splits it into higher and lower Pedley Hill. The small lumps and valleys provided the now depleted Trug community with shelter and secrecy despite its proximity to the road.

Even today the road is quiet enough for Woodruff to remain for the most part unnoticed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knight's Low Wood is said, in Little Folk Legend, to be the place where Eadwulf, the Prince of Adlington, gathered his supporters and made them his knights, before marching triumphantly back to the woodlands from where he had been chased by the frightened Jemmies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bow Stones are stumps of Saxon crosses dating from the time when the stranger, Eadwulf, later known as the Prince of Adlington, appeared mysteriously to the Jemmies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Hill is where Hemlock lives. Believed to be the son of Hemlock the Horrid, he lives here alone .

Hogboons tell many stories of Hemlock, frightening the Tiny Folk. There is a saying, "Nought good ever came over the Black Hill", and Tiny Folk play a game where Stompers' black bin bags blowing around in fields, caught in trees or snagged on a barbed wire fence, are called Hemlock's cloak. The last to run away has to tag all the others before the next Hemlock's cloak is seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although Sweet Hill is so close to Black Hill, the Water Sprites of the Sponds sometimes venture there in large groups to gather the Marsh Mallow plants that grow at its foot where the ground is damp.

They use the sweet roots of these plants to chew as a treat.

Whilst there, they will pick lush dandelion leaves from the hillside because it is believed that here the sweetest dandelions of all can be found.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ringstone is a stone which when struck with another stone, will make a ringing sound. Because all Little Folk have very acute hearing, this strange and unmistakable noise can be heard far and wide. It is only used in the direst of emergencies, and Tiny Folk are not allowed near it. Most Tiny Folk would never dream of going near the Ringstone though, because it is so close to Black Hill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandholes Moss is a place inhabited by Sand-Trugs who, unlike regular Trugs, build very deep burrows in the sand. Because they rarely come to the surface they have become very short sighted indeed, and often bump into things!

Sand-Trugs are incredibly shy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dandy Farm - This grand home is the abode of the Well-to-do Trugs.

The Well-to-do Trugs live much as we do, eating very rich food and wearing rather elegant clothes. Lady Well-to-do never wears the same hat twice and has been heard to say that a pudding without cream is not worth eating!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wilderness is mostly farmland now, but wild areas remain tucked away.

This is the home of Cloudberry, one of Marigold the Trug's friends. Cloudberry has been the winner of the 'best mince pies' competition for many years running despite everyone's best attempts to beat him. He has a secret recipe book tucked away in his tiny home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wych Wood - According to the Legend of the Prince of Adlington, Eadwulf, the Prince of Strangers, was given protection by the Wych elves, so that his enemies would not find him.

Many Little Folk do not believe in the Wych elves, but on a clear night when the moon is full, if you listen carefully, you may hear them singing songs of long ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Styperson Pool is a place densely populated by Water Sprites. Sedge the Water Sprite lives here.

This Lake is often the site chosen for the annual boat-building competition.

There is a Hogboon Tale of a "Pool-faerie" living here, which is the Little Folks' version of a creature like a mermaid. It is said that if a person sees the pool-faerie, and compliments her three times, she is able to walk on land for a day and a night. Whoever she chooses to give one of her sparkly scales to is promised a magical adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oakridge is the home of the Oak Folk, who are arguably the wisest of the Little Folk.

They grow to be quite tall and are well camouflaged with olive green skin and oaky ears. They love to play musical instruments and make up songs to commemorate important occasions, although many folk find them too complicated. Hogboons are often asked to write stories explaining what the Oak Folk have said in their songs. Oak Folk brew very strong ale in oak barrels, but for those who do not like it, acorn coffee is also very nice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nab Hill - Nab the Hogboon lives here.

On the summit of this hill with breathtaking views, there is what remains of a bronze age burial mound.

Hogboons traditionally use these earthworks as their homes.

Hogboons originally came from Scotland, where there are countless mounds or barrows for them to live in. In Scotland and especially the Northern Isles of Orkney, many of these mounds are situated close to farmhouses. The Hogboon becomes the guardian of the farmer and his family and often moves house when the farmer does!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sponds are the marshy areas populated by many Water Sprites. It is the place where they gather bog-sponge which we call sphagnum moss. This is an essential item in every home across the lands. Good for mopping up spills, using in the bath and excellent for nappies for Tiny Folk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponds Hill is where the Water Sprites go on the rare occasions when they fancy drying out their wrinkled feet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hole House and Cornhill are the lands of the Velvet family. These moles grind fine flour in the traditional old way of squashing it between two gritty stones. This takes a very very long time indeed. The Velvet family are always covered from head to toe in flour dust!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dipping Stone is a large stone which even the tiniest Jemmie can rock from side to side with a small push, because of the way it is balanced.

Tiny Folk love to play there by the River Goyt, but seldom get the chance because they are not allowed by themselves. Black Hill is too close by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Three Shire Stones are where three shires, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, meet. When stood there, technically you are nowhere, and so no laws passed in any of the three shires apply. The nearby town of Flash gave its name to Flash-Hawkweed, who used to be one of the Wild Trugs of Wigwam Wood. He would charge around stealing from anyone he came across, fleeing afterwards to Three Shire Stones where no-one could challenge him! He became very wealthy as you can imagine, but of course he had no friends at all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Nancy Hill, or Kerridge Hill, was once used as a beacon hill. Using fire, messages could be transmitted across England incredibly quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Folk like Bollington because, they say, it is a musical town.

It is customary for Tiny Folk (who are about to become grown up) to scuttle through the main street of Bollington on 25th of January singing songs as loud as they dare, to see if any Stompers notice. Generally they do not, because most of them are busy making their own music in the various public houses. This 'game' is therefore not quite as brave as it seems!