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Near Steeple Barton is another ruined cromlech, also called the "Hoar Stone," which is now only a confused heap of small stones, having been broken up by an ignorant farmer. Some fifty years ago it was much more perfect, and two of the side stones were standing about four feet out of the ground.
"They used to say that whenever they tried to drag them two pebbles away with horses, they would roll back of their own accord. Them two pebbles growed out of little uns; at least that's my way of thinking."
- From George Nevill, of Yarnton, aged 74, March 1901. Stray Notes on Oxfordshire Folklore by Percy Manning, in Folklore v13 (September 1902).
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Posted by Rhiannon
23rd June 2023ce
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White Horse Hill, Berks, 1780.
The Scowering and Cleaning the White Horse is fixed for WHIT MONDAY, the 15th Day of May, on which Day, a SILVER CUP will be run for, near the White Horse Hill, by PONIES that never started for any Thing; and to be the actual Property of Persons belonging to the County of Berks; the best of three Two-Mile Heats. To start at Ten o' Clock.
The same Time, A THILL HARNESS will be run for by Cart Horses, &c. in their Harness and Bells, the Carters to ride in Smock Frocks without Saddles. Crossing and jostling, but no Whipping allowed.
A FLITCH of BACON to be run for by ASSES.
A good HAT to be run for by MEN in SACKS; every Man to bring his own Sack.
A WAISTCOAT, 10s. 6d. Value, to be given to the Person who shall take a Bullet out of a Tub of Flour with his Mouth in the shortest Time.
Several CHEESES to be run for down the White Horse Manger.
SMOCKS to be run for by Ladies; the second-best of each Prize to be entitled to a Silk Hat.
CUDGEL-PLAYING for a GOLD-LACED HAT and a Pair of BUCKSKIN BREECHES, and WRESTLING for a Pair of SILVER BUCKLES and a Pair of PUMPS.
A JINGLING MATCH by eleven blindfolded Men, and One unmasked with Bells, for a Pair of BUCKSKIN BREECHES.
A GRINNING MATCH through a Horse's Collar for Five Shillings.
An APPLE to be taken out of a Tub of Water for Five Shillings.
Riding down the Hill upon Horses Jaw Bones, for 2s 6d.
And sundry other Rural Amusements.
(The Horses to be on the Hill, and entered by Nine o'Clock. - No less than four Horses, &c. or Asses to start for any of the above Prizes.) Oxford Journal, 13th May 1780.
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Posted by Rhiannon
23rd June 2023ce
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I've been to the woodland twice trying to locate the hoar stone but to no avail. It seems the stone has been completely covered with foliage now.
Of interest, just off the road in the woodland there is a definite oval of yew trees with a lush patch of vegetation in the middle. It's unclear why this was created.
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Posted by eliza18
24th April 2021ce
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Posted by Zeb
27th October 2020ce
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Posted by Zeb
27th October 2020ce
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Posted by Zeb
27th October 2020ce |
Showing 1-10 of 1,730 posts. Most recent first | Next 10
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