WE resumed after our summer break with a very interesting talk by Alex Godden on ‘Folklore of Archaeological Sites in Hampshire’.

Alex is a professional archaeologist, who also enjoys studying folklore.

Using examples from Hampshire sites, he described how people throughout history have tried to explain the landscape and the presence of artificial mounds and barrows, with tales of dragons, fairies, giants, ghosts and other mythical creatures, as well as of buried treasure.

In Anglo Saxon times it was thought that treasure in a barrow was guarded by monsters, whereas in the Middle Ages, fairies were said to inhabit artificial mounds.

Stone circles have always had a mystical element and were often linked to worship, as at Stonehenge. Stones with holes were believed to have healing powers.

Legends also often developed around historical characters such as King Arthur, Oliver Cromwell, Robin Hood and Sir Bevis of Hampton, a medieval hero who was supposed to have lived in Arundel Castle. Bevis’s Grave is a long barrow near Havant.

In more recent times alternative archaeology has looked at ley lines and earth energy.

Alex’s talk was thought-provoking and we were left thinking about how other legends elsewhere may have evolved.

Next meeting: AGM followed by ‘Alice in her Wonderland’ – the story of Alice Liddell by Georgina Babey.

It takes place on Tuesday, October 7, 7.30pm at Morgan’s Vale & Woodfalls village hall.

For further information call Carolyn Birch on 01725 511583.