We were delighted to welcome a full house once again for a truly spellbinding evening of folklore and storytelling, embellished by an amazing of themed cake that Alexandra had baked for us to all enjoy! This special event celebrated the rich folkloric traditions of Devon, led by Crediton’s own Mark Norman, author of The Folklore of Devon, in conversation with Alexandra Dawe, author of The Stitchwort Curse and passionate supporter of The Folklore Podcast—which, as we learned, has now surpassed an incredible two million downloads.

The stories in Mark’s The Folklore of Devon took centre stage, offering a fascinating glimpse into the myths, superstitions, and strange tales woven into the landscape of our county. But the evening had more than one kind of magic. Alexandra brought along a striking green cake, themed perfectly to the occasion, which many of our guests enjoyed as a sweet ending to the night’s storytelling.

Mark began by explaining that his book is the first major collection of Devon folklore in almost 50 years. Inspired by the success of The Folklore of Cornwall and realising it had been eight decades since Devon’s tales were last collected in earnest, Mark set out to create a book that not only celebrates traditional stories but also incorporates modern folklore—digital myths, evolving customs, and everyday superstitions.

Alexandra guided the conversation with insight and humour, diving into common misconceptions around folklore. Folklore, as Mark explained, isn’t just the tales of old—it’s living and breathing all around us. The customs we maintain (or avoid)—like saluting a magpie, not passing salt hand-to-hand, or the proper order of cream and jam on a scone (Devon-style, naturally)—are all part of this rich, evolving tradition.

In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, Mark shared a local legend from his book: the tale of the hens that grew to the size of an ox. A story involving forbidden knowledge, mysterious manuscripts, and a dark storm that summoned monstrous chickens into a vicar’s study—until a quick-thinking bag of rice saved the day. It was folklore at its finest: dark, whimsical, and just the right amount of eerie.

The discussion also touched on Mark’s decades of research into Black Dog folklore—those spectral, supernatural canines that appear as omens across Britain, and particularly in Devon. From devilish creatures to modern internet legends, Mark showed how storytelling continues to shape our understanding of the world.

As the evening drew to a close, Alexandra opened the floor to questions from our engaged audience—ranging from global ghostly legends to the curious puzzles of Kit Williams and The Golden Hare. Mark rounded things off with a reminder that folklore is, at heart, a form of social history—one that speaks differently to each of us but connects us all through time.

We were thrilled to host Mark and Alexandra and thank them both for an evening full of laughter, learning, legends—and that unforgettable cake. You can buy copies of The Folklore Of Devon from us in the shop or online HERE. Signed copies of The Stitchwort Curse are now available in the shop or online HERE.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—until next time, keep your eyes open for black dogs, avoid reading ancient tomes aloud, and always put the cream on first!