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Autumn Walk - Series 2 (Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest)

Dec 1, 2008
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Edgbaston - Pastel Autum

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Turning the Devil’s Boulder

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

5^th November - Shebbear, Devon

After nightfall men carrying crowbars with women lighting their way approach the huge stone close to the village church. As the church bells peal out the villagers set to work to turn the stone over. Apparently the devil lives under the stone, and 'turning the Devil's boulder' is meant to avert bad fortune.

One legend recalls that the stone was quarried on the other side of the River Torridge at a nearby village, apparently intended as a foundation stone for a church there. But the devil rolled it away to Shebbear - and continued doing this every night as the villagers repeatedly rolled it back during the day.

Interestingly the stone is not of a type found locally and may therefore have been transported there in ancient times for some ritualistic purpose.