Songs of legends, ghosts, hounds & werewolves
There was a time when hideous tales of werewolves and hounds struck fear into the hearts of people across Devon. Were these tales just folklore? Or were the stories true? Many people believed it was the latter.
There were so many stories doing the rounds in the 19th century that a whole collection of them were gathered up in his West Country travels by famous song and story collector, the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould.
Some of the stories from his famous work, The Book of Were-wolves, are the inspiration for a show being taken on a tour of Devon by the Wren Band, who have also penned some new songs and tunes based on well-known legends.
The Wren Band comprises the professional song-writers, musicians, and singers of the Okehampton-based charity, Wren Music. They first toured with the concert – When the Moon is Full – at venues across England in 2013 as part of the charity’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
The five concerts this month feature a number of changes, including new arrangements and the addition of some extra songs. The tour takes in Winkleigh, Appledore, Ipplepen, Sidmouth and Exeter.
The band has also seen a personnel change, with new member Jon Dyer (top right in photo) taking part in his first tour since becoming a permanent member of Wren Music. “Jon came to us as a work placement two years ago through Falmouth Uni,” said Marilyn Tucker from Wren Music. “After that he joined as a trainee for 12 months and since September, he’s been a full member of our core staff.
“He is a fabulous musician and a great asset to Wren Music.”
The full line up is: co-founders Paul Wilson and Marilyn; bagpipe player David Faulkner; vocalist Sarah Owen; Jon on double bass and flute; and duet Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll on fiddles and vocals.
Marilyn said the new tour is perfect timing: “Last year, we toured in the middle of the summer. It’s going to be lovely to do it in November because the songs are really in keeping with this time of the year; they conjure up images of eerie, foggy winter nights.”
Expect to hear songs about hounds, were-foxes – which feature large in English folklore rather than were-wolves – and ghostly legends such as The Hairy Hand.
Among the songs is Lady Howard’s Black Dog, based on a song collected by Baring-Gould which has been adapted by Wren. The legend tells of how the ghost of Lady Howard is taken from Tavistock to Okehampton each night in a coach made from the bones of her four husbands. Ahead of the coach runs a huge black hound. It’s believed by some that this story might have been the inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles.
“We can’t wait to take these wonderful stories and songs to places across Devon, as the only venue we managed to visit in the county last year was Exeter Northcott,” said Marilyn.
“Devon has such a wonderful heritage when it comes to legendary tales and we’re really looking forward to introducing them to new audiences.”
All Tickets are £12 (£10 for under-18s). Visit the Wren website for full details. http://www.wrenmusic.co.uk/wrenband/
When the Moon is Full Tour:
Saturday 15 November: Winkleigh Town Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 21 November: St Mary’s Village Hall, Appledore, 7.30pm
Saturday 22 November: Ipplepen Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 28 November: Stowford Community Centre, Sidmouth, 7.30pm
Saturday 29 November: Cygnet Theatre, Exeter 7.30pm
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